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Earlier this year, Ofcom unveiled plans to force BSkyB to make channels such as Sky Sports and Sky Movies available to its pay-TV rivals at wholesale, or reduced rates. The plan was part of a wider bid by Ofcom to introduce what it claims is much-needed competition into the pay-TV market.
 
In a joint submission to Ofcom's third pay-TV review, published by the media regulator today (28 October), Virgin Media, BT and Top Up TV backed Ofcom's proposal. However, they said "specific details" need to be adjusted to achieve Ofcom's goal.
 
They also urged the regulator to speed up implementation of the plans. "At this stage, it seems likely that the third anniversary of [the start of Ofcom's pay-TV investigation] will arrive before the [plans are] implemented. Ofcom must, therefore, not delay in concluding its pay-TV investigation and introducing the remedies needed to enable consumers to benefit from fair and effective competition in pay-TV."
 
Referring to specific concerns over Ofcom's proposals, Virgin Media, BT and Top Up TV said Sky Sports 3 and Sky Sports Xtra should be included in the premium services that would come under the proposed regulation.

They highlighted Ofcom's own analysis, which reveals that of the 27 sports broadcast on Sky Sports 1 and 2, 17 of those events are also shown on Sky Sports 3 and Xtra.
 
Furthermore, they called on Ofcom to ensure the wholesale, must-offer remedy applies to all delivery technologies.

It said Ofcom should clarify how the remedy would apply in the event that Project Canvas, or other TV services delivered over the internet, were to be widely deployed. They added: "Ofcom must ensure that Sky cannot avoid the wholesale must-offer obligation through remote use of digital rights management within a third-party [Project Canvas-style] platform."
 
Ofcom will publish its final plans for regulating the pay-TV sector by the end of the year.
 
BSkyB also published its response to Ofcom's plans today.

Chief among its comments, the pay-TV group said Ofcom has "a clear agenda". It said that, under Ofcom's plans, Sky's channels will be treated as "regulated assets", with their development "controlled by Ofcom in order to further Ofcom's policy objectives", to "the detriment of Sky".