Vodafone has accused telecommunications rival Telefónica of violating the commitments made during its merger with DTS, the media company behind Canal+, by refusing to allow access to the Moto GP and Formula 1 feeds for the season tournament, beginning this Sunday.
“This is a serious blow, as we believe we have the right to hire a feed, for which we intend to pay, according to regulations, and we have been denied the opportunity to do so.” said Vodafone España Legal Director Pedro Peña. In terms of Pay TV access, Telefónica has increased its market share from 72% to 73%. Should this evolution continue, Telefónica could reach 100 percent of the market “in a few years”.
Spanish regulator CNMC’s conditions for Telefónica oblige the company to make 50% of their premium content (including motor sports) available to other operators as part of their wholesale offering. The resolution states that it is these other operators who may determine what Premium content they wish to purchase, stipulating the licensing on an annual or seasonal basis when involving sporting events. Telefónica is not allowed to deny access, unless objective and sufficient cause is given and approved by the CNMC.
Mr. Peña described the situation as one with a “hyperdominant” pay TV operator who has joined a “dominant” telecommunications company, creating an enterprise which “in most EU countries would have been banned fair and square”. The restrictions placed on Telefónica were described by Mr. Peña as “not only weak, lax and benevolent” but also “unenforced”. As proof, he cited a similar situation with first division football, considering this to be a dark spot for the pay TV industry.
Full content: Marca
Want more news? Subscribe to CPI’s free daily newsletter for more headlines and updates on antitrust developments around the world.
Featured News
European Music Streaming Firms Rally Against Apple’s Proposed Remedies
May 9, 2024 by
CPI
Google and South Carolina Clash Over State Records Demand
May 8, 2024 by
CPI
Telefonica Germany Teams Up with Amazon Web Services to Migrate 5G Customers
May 8, 2024 by
CPI
Federal Judge Grants $7.4 Million Settlement in Pork Price-Fixing Case
May 8, 2024 by
CPI
Wilson Sonsini Bolsters Antitrust and Competition Practice with Key Partner Returns
May 8, 2024 by
CPI
Antitrust Mix by CPI
Antitrust Chronicle® – Economics of Criminal Antitrust
Apr 19, 2024 by
CPI
Navigating Economic Expert Work in Criminal Antitrust Litigation
Apr 19, 2024 by
CPI
The Increased Importance of Economics in Cartel Cases
Apr 19, 2024 by
CPI
A Law and Economics Analysis of the Antitrust Treatment of Physician Collective Price Agreements
Apr 19, 2024 by
CPI
Information Exchange In Criminal Antitrust Cases: How Economic Testimony Can Tip The Scales
Apr 19, 2024 by
CPI