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UK: Virgin complains to Ofcom over spiking Premier League programming costs

By  |  September 30, 2014

Virgin Media announced Tuesday that it filed a complaint with communications watchdog Ofcom over what it says is the unfair price of broadcasting Premier League football matches.

According to reports, Liberty Global-owned Virgin said that auctions between broadcasters for rights packages are causing rates to skyrocket, which places higher costs on consumers. Virgin added that it does not plan to bid in the next rights auction, but that it is still affected by these soaring prices.

In its complaint to Ofcom, Virgin said that under current rules, these auctions are harming competition; the broadcaster is seeking less exclusivity for the rights to show these games.

The company said it filed the complaint two weeks ago, and that Ofcom is now considering whether to launch a formal investigation into the matter.

Full content: Reuters

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