Ofcom set to probe Sky’s limit on EPG applications

Media watchdog Ofcom has confirmed that it will be assessing BSkyB’s recent decision to stop taking channel launch applications for its Electronic Programme Guide (EPG).

Due to concerns in the TV sector that BSkyB is limiting availability as a way of keeping rivals off its EPG, the media regulator issued the following statement to Media Week: “We note the announcement by BSkyB and are assessing whether there are any regulatory implications.”

A Sky spokesperson said: “Our reasons come down to limited set-top box capacity. There was always going to come a day when the boxes ran out of memory space.
“But those channels that have scheduled their interest for this current year up to December and have been given a launch slot, will still go ahead.”

BSkyB will also be slowing the rate at which it launches channels onto the EPG.
Until now, the broadcaster has been launching four services a week, but this will now fall to two and could phase out altogether at the end of this year.
There have been specific concerns about whether the Virgin-Setanta channel venture, Setanta Sports News – would make it onto the EPG.

Virgin declined to comment on the issue. However, Timothy Ryan, Setanta’s marketing director for Great Britain, said: “We don’t expect the launch of Setanta Sports News to be a problem.”

Source: Media Week