Competition In The Pay Tv Market

EDM number 2018 in 2006-07, proposed by John Grogan on 25/07/2007.

That this House notes the tremendous impact that BSkyB, Virgin Media, BT Vision, Top up TV and now Setanta have made on the choice available to consumers in the pay TV market; further notes BSkyB's role as a trailblazer in the UK pay TV market and the fact that BSkyB has an overwhelming percentage of both sport and premium movie subscription rights; notes that the potential structural problems within the market could perpetuate this dominance and stifle the penetration of new players and innovation thereby undermining the plurality, choice and freedom which are the hallmarks of a truly open market; recognises Oftel's previous assertion as to the tension in BSkyB's position as `wholesaler ... retailer in programme supply and distribution services'; welcomes Ofcom's decision to conduct a full investigation into the UK pay TV market; and urges Ofcom to use all powers available to it under the Enterprise Act 2002 for the benefits of all retailers, broadcasters and most importantly consumers.

This motion has been signed by a total of 48 MPs.