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New ruling lets fans see Premier League on TV for just £15 a month
Jonathan Prynn, Consumer Business Editor31 Mar 2010
Football fans will be able to watch live Premier League football from as little as £15 a month next season after a landmark ruling.
Broadcasting regulator Ofcom today said it would force Sky to "sell" its top sports channels to rivals such as BT Vision, Virgin Media and Freeview service Top Up TV.
The decision, which follows a two year investigation, means fans will have wider access to matches and at a lower price than at any time since Sky first won the top flight rights in 1992.
About 10 million households in Britain have access to Freeview but not to satellite or cable TV and will be able to watch live Premier League football for the first time. As well as football, the ruling will affect broadcasting of other popular sports including rugby, cricket and golf.
A furious BSkyB, owner of Sky, said it will try to have the decision blocked in the courts but if that is unsuccessful it will come into force in time for the start of the next football season in August.
However, it could take effect earlier than that, potentially making this summer's cricket Test matches the first major sporting events to be affected.
Although the broadcasters have not yet set customer subscription prices, Ofcom has said that Sky Sports 1 and Sky Sports 2 must be made available for a wholesale price of £10.63 each a month or £17.14 for both.
This suggests that Top Up TV, which "rents" channels on the terrestrial Freeview service, could offer a subscription to Sky Sports 1, which carries most of the top Premier League matches, for as little as £15 a month or about £25 for Sky Sports 1 and 2.
This compares with the cheapest price for a Sky sport package of £35 a month with a minimum 12-month contract.
Virgin Media chief executive Neil Berkett said: "The Ofcom wholesale arrangements are a step in the right direction."
Reader views (2)
Joanna - Premier League is NOT shown on free-to-air television in Australia, but on Foxtel satellite and cable - News Ltd's subscription (i.e. pay) service in Australia.
- Footyman, Perth, Australia, 31/03/2010 15:54
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why should people even have to pay ???
was recently in denmark and also Australia and the saturday games were shown on public television, free fo charge.. and yet here in england people actually watch men who are watching the game and describing the action !
crazy ....
- Joanna, london, 31/03/2010 13:21
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