OFT give BSkyB extra time over anti-competition charges

BSkyB have been given an extension by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) to allow the corporation further time to respond to charges that it has acted in an anti-competitive manner.
The company originally had to face a deadline of March 29 to make its response to charges which, if found, could result in a fine of totalling tens of millions of pounds. Potentially, the fine could amount to 10 per cent of BSkyB's turnover – which totalled £2.3 billion last year.
BSkyB will have to face the regulator in the next few weeks to defend itself against charges that the company had abused its market position to provide premium sport and film channels ahead of rivals ITV Digital and Telewest.
If found guilty under the 1998 Competition Act, BSkyB could appeal to the Competition Commission appeals tribunal - a process that could take around six months.
BSkyB is in talks with ITV Digital and a possible re-evaluation of the amount Sky charges Telewest, which is also experiencing financial difficulties, is also understood to be under discussion.
BSkyB, www.sky.com
(GMcG)