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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Consumer body angry at BSkyB row | Consumer body angry at BSkyB row |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The National Consumer Council may ask for a review of the digital television market after Virgin Media stopped broadcasting some BSkyB channels. | The National Consumer Council may ask for a review of the digital television market after Virgin Media stopped broadcasting some BSkyB channels. |
| The broadcasters were accused of "behaving like children" by the organisation, which is considering making an official complaint. | The broadcasters were accused of "behaving like children" by the organisation, which is considering making an official complaint. |
| The switch-off came on Wednesday after the deadline passed for the companies to resolve a row over TV rights. | The switch-off came on Wednesday after the deadline passed for the companies to resolve a row over TV rights. |
| The two companies argued over whether BSkyB's higher fees were justified. | The two companies argued over whether BSkyB's higher fees were justified. |
| 'Posturing' | 'Posturing' |
| HAVE YOUR SAY Let's have a common sense solution and one that puts the customers first Philip Cullem, NCC Q&A: Sky & Virgin class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?threadID=5701&edition=1&ttl=20070228135644">Send us your comments | |
| Philip Cullem, deputy chief executive of the consumer council, accused both broadcasters of "behaving like children". | Philip Cullem, deputy chief executive of the consumer council, accused both broadcasters of "behaving like children". |
| "At the end of the month we'll make a decision about putting in the super-complaint that that will help to knock heads together," he told BBC Radio Five Live. | "At the end of the month we'll make a decision about putting in the super-complaint that that will help to knock heads together," he told BBC Radio Five Live. |
| "It's time to get them back round a table. Let's have a common-sense solution and one that puts the customers first, rather than all this posturing between two rather big media companies." | "It's time to get them back round a table. Let's have a common-sense solution and one that puts the customers first, rather than all this posturing between two rather big media companies." |
| Talks between the two broadcasters broke down last week. | Talks between the two broadcasters broke down last week. |
| Virgin Media welcomed the consumer group's comments and said that Thursday had been "a bad day for UK consumers". | Virgin Media welcomed the consumer group's comments and said that Thursday had been "a bad day for UK consumers". |
| "This dispute is one example of deep-rooted structural flaws in the way the UK's pay-TV market operates," a spokesperson said. | "This dispute is one example of deep-rooted structural flaws in the way the UK's pay-TV market operates," a spokesperson said. |
| "We would welcome a thorough investigation of the causes of this and possible solution by the relevant regulatory authorities and would co-operate fully with any such enquiry." | "We would welcome a thorough investigation of the causes of this and possible solution by the relevant regulatory authorities and would co-operate fully with any such enquiry." |
| It added it had always been open to discussions with Sky to find a settlement that would allow it to continue providing their basic channels "on fair and reasonable terms". | It added it had always been open to discussions with Sky to find a settlement that would allow it to continue providing their basic channels "on fair and reasonable terms". |
| BSkyB argued that the system discriminated against it - as it was dependent on others to allow its channels to be seen by non-satellite audiences. | BSkyB argued that the system discriminated against it - as it was dependent on others to allow its channels to be seen by non-satellite audiences. |
| "The broadcasting marketplace in the UK is hugely competitive and dynamic, with customers having more choice than ever before," a spokesman said. | "The broadcasting marketplace in the UK is hugely competitive and dynamic, with customers having more choice than ever before," a spokesman said. |
| "We've invited Virgin to retail our channels directly to customers on its network but it has refused, just as it has rejected our latest offer for our package of basic channels. | "We've invited Virgin to retail our channels directly to customers on its network but it has refused, just as it has rejected our latest offer for our package of basic channels. |
| "We would like our channels to be on cable television, but there's no mechanism to do that [without Virgin's agreement]." | "We would like our channels to be on cable television, but there's no mechanism to do that [without Virgin's agreement]." |
| Jibe | Jibe |
| Virgin Media had warned it would drop the Sky Basics TV package, which also includes Sky News, Sky Travel and Sky Sports News, if agreement on a new contract to replace its current one could not be reached. | Virgin Media had warned it would drop the Sky Basics TV package, which also includes Sky News, Sky Travel and Sky Sports News, if agreement on a new contract to replace its current one could not be reached. |
| Sky One includes popular series such as 24 and Lost, as well as new episodes of The Simpsons. | Sky One includes popular series such as 24 and Lost, as well as new episodes of The Simpsons. |
| After the channels were withdrawn, Virgin began broadcasting an on-screen jibe at its rival. | After the channels were withdrawn, Virgin began broadcasting an on-screen jibe at its rival. |
| Channel 602, the former slot of Sky News, was labelled as Sky Snooze. | Channel 602, the former slot of Sky News, was labelled as Sky Snooze. |
| However, Virgin head Richard Branson ordered the screens to be removed, saying the firm did not want to be disrespectful to Sky. | However, Virgin head Richard Branson ordered the screens to be removed, saying the firm did not want to be disrespectful to Sky. |