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LONDON (Alliance News) - A UK competition tribunal has ruled that British Sky Broadcasting Group PLC must make its Sky Sports 1 and 2 channels available on its rival BT Group PLC's YouView service.
The decision follows a ruling from UK telecoms regulator Ofcom in 2010 that BSkyB should offer the sports channels to other pay television providers on a wholesale basis in order to promote competition. However Ofcom's original ruling was challenged by BSkyB to the Competition Appeal Tribunal.
Wednesday's decision is an interim one, meaning there will be a further ruling following the assessment of further evidence.
Ofcom welcomed the interim ruling, saying it was pleased that the Competition Appeal Tribunal had recognised that it is for Ofcom to consider the impact of changed market conditions in its new review of the 'wholesale must offer' remedy, which requires BSkyB to offer the channels to other providers.
Ofcom will publish a consultation on the 'wholesale must offer' in the coming months, it said, which will review the issue in light of developments since the original decision in 2010.
"After more than four years of litigation and legal challenges, Ofcom?s 2010 pay TV decision continues to serve the interests of UK consumers and this ruling is consistent with our original decision," Ofcom Chief Executive Ed Richards said in a statement.
"Today?s ruling paves the way for more top sports to be available on another TV service and supports competition and innovation in the communications sector as we originally intended," Richards added.
Shares in BT Group closed up 1.0% Wednesday at 365.80 pence, while shares in BSkyB closed up 1.5% at 892.50p.
By Hana Stewart-Smith; hanassmith@alliancenews.com; @HanaSSAllNews
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