Watchdog probes Sky complaint by BT

The telecoms watchdog said it had opened an investigation into Sky’s “alleged abuse of a dominant position” regarding the wholesale supply of Sky Sports 1 and 2 – its flagship sports channels.

BT wants to offer Sky Sports via YouView set-top boxes to complement its own newly-launched sport offer. But BT says Sky will not allow the channels to be broadcast over BT boxes unless it offers its rival wholesale access to its own BT Sport channels in return.

BT sparked a price war with Sky last month when it launched free live Premier League action to football fans for the first time – if they buy its broadband starting at £10 a month.

From August BT will show 38 Premier League games a season in the first major challenge to Sky’s dominance of top-flight football.

BT argues that as a new player, it should not have to sell its channels to Sky.