Good news for BSkyB, deadline extended to July

UK satellite TV service BSkyB was given a reprieve as the Competition Commission pushed back its deadline on ruling that BSkyB's deals with six major Hollywood studios were uncompetitive, according to The Guardian. The government watchdog extended the date of its final ruling to July because it has added Netflix and LoveFilm to its investigation. Netflix launched in the UK and Ireland in January, while LoveFilm recently added a streaming service to its rent-by-mail service.

BSkyB has deals in place with Disney, Warner Bros, Paramount, Fox, Sony, and Universal. It also recently said it wanted to launch an Internet streaming service with Sky Movies that will be separate from it TV channel subscription.

A working paper from the Commission, asking for submissions on how the services have opened up the competition, would be positive for BSkyB by at least creating the image that Internet video would be enough of a rival.

The deadline for submissions is March 28.

By Electronista Staff

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