Didier Drogba after a recent Premier League clash between Chelsea and QPR
A pay-TV football revolution was in prospect today following the launch of a major investigation into whether the number of Premier League matches screened live should be dramatically increased.
Bosses at broadcasting watchdog Ofcom today said they will examine whether current limits on showing live games are in breach of competition law.
The inquiry could lead to a further reduction of the number of fixtures starting at the traditionally “sacrosanct” Saturday 3pm kick-off time — and could even open the possibility of all Premier League matches being shown live.
The move follows a complaint from Virgin Media to Ofcom in September. Under the current £1 billion-a-year broadcasting deal with Sky and BT only 154 top flight games out of a possible 380 a season — 41 per cent — are broadcast live. These are mostly on Saturday lunchtime, Saturday evening, Sunday afternoon and Monday evening.
This is a far lower proportion than for many other leading European leagues, including Spain’s La Liga and Italy’s Serie A, where every game is screened live.
The remaining Premier League fixtures are reserved for the Saturday 3pm kick-off. Action from those games can only be shown after they have finished — a bid to encourage fans to buy tickets.
Virgin has claimed the limits on the number of live games pushes up prices for pay-TV sports packages that include Premier League games. The Sky Sports subscription bundle that includes Premier League games costs an initial £35.25 a month, rising to £46 after six months. In a statement Ofcom said it “will consider whether there is a breach of the UK and/or EU competition law prohibition on agreements and decisions which restrict or distort competition.”
However, the regulator said the investigation was at an early stage and it has not yet reached any conclusion about whether it will take further action.
It said: “Ofcom understands that the scheduling of football games is important to many football fans, in particular attending 3pm kick-offs on Saturdays.
“The investigation will take this into account and Ofcom plans to approach the Football Supporters’ Federation and certain other supporters’ groups to understand their views.”
The Premier League said: "Ofcom has stated that this is at an early stage and it has not reached a view as to whether there is sufficient evidence of any infringement. The Premier League currently sells its audio-visual rights in a way that is compatible with UK and EU competition law and will continue to do so. We will be able to demonstrate that as part of this process."
Ofcom has the power to force the Premier League to broadcast more live games and the inquiry comes at a significant time.
Toby Syfret of media consultancy Enders Analysis said the intervention was likely to delay the next three-year Premier League TV rights auction, which was expected this January.
He said: “I think it’s going to lead to the Premier League having to pause a little and convince Ofcom that it’s got an acceptable solution. I think there will be more live games.”
Ofcom has the power to fine the Premier League up to 10 per cent of turnover if it fails to comply with any new rules. The Premier League did not immediately comment but has previously said its rights “have always been sold in a transparent and open process” and it would be “happy” to work with Ofcom.
Virgin Media chief executive Tom Mockridge said: “Ofcom’s announcement today is welcome news. The Premier League is a global success story and one of the UK’s greatest exports and everyone wants that to remain the case.
“The fact remains that fans in the UK pay the highest prices in Europe to watch the least amount of football on TV. Now is the right time to look again at the way live rights are sold to make football even more accessible. We look forward to working constructively with the Premier League, the wider industry and Ofcom to ensure a better deal for football fans.”
Source:London Standard
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