CMA opens CA98 investigation

On 12 July 2022, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) launched an investigation under section 25 of the Competition Act 1998 ('CA98') into suspected infringements of the Chapter I prohibition of the CA98 by companies involved in the production and broadcasting of sports content in the UK.

The investigation relates to the purchase by such companies of freelance services which support the production and broadcasting of sports content in the UK.

The CMA is investigating suspected breaches of competition law by at least the following: BT Group PLC, IMG Media Limited (including Premier League Productions), ITV PLC, and Sky UK Limited.

At this stage the CMA believes it has reasonable grounds to suspect one or more breaches of competition law. The CMA has not reached a view as to whether there is sufficient evidence of an infringement of competition law for it to issue a statement of objections to any party or parties. Not all cases result in the CMA issuing a statement of objections and no assumption should be made at this stage that the CA98 has been infringed.

If the CMA issues a statement of objections, it will provide the addressee(s) of that statement of objections with an opportunity to make written and oral representations, before it makes a final decision. See here for further detail of the CMA's Procedures in Competition Act cases.