BSkyB’s Premier League monopoly threatened |
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Published
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Wed, 19 Oct 2005 20:05
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LONDON - BSkyB's vice like grip over the telecast rights of the lucrative English Premier League is set to loosen after talks between the competitions commissioner of the European Union, Ms Neelie Kroes and the Premier League's chief executive Richard Scudamore ended amicably.
Scudamore has submitted fresh proposals to the commissioner and committed to sharing live telecast with at least two more channels by 2007.
Kroes said in a statement that they were on the verge of amicably resolving the row and said that she would study the proposals and give her opinion on Friday. "Both sides felt it was a very positive meeting and it took the process forward," said Premier League spokesman Dan Johnson.
"It is reasonable that the commission would take some time to review an updated proposal." Kroes had threatened legal action against the Premier League for unfair trading practices since BSkyB has had the exclusive telecast rights since the inception of the League in 1992. If it finds that there have been illegal practices, the EU's Executive Commission has the powers to impose a fine of 10 percent of a company's turnover in the said year.
"They have to demonstrate to the commission that the way in which they will sell the rights will result in at least two broadcasters having a viable and meaningful share of the rights," said Jonathan Todd, spokesman for the EU Executive Commission.
Pay-TV station British Sky Broadcasting Group had won the contract for the period between 2004-2007 by putting in a bid of $1 billion. The EU Commission had let the deal stay under the condition that the 2007-2010 contract would make leeway for another bidder.
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EU Commission try to end BSkyB's Premier League monopoly 