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UK pay-TV platform BSkyB has filed a complaint with media regulator Ofcom against BBC-backed joint-venture IPTV platform YouView.
The last-minute submission, made earlier this week, will likely mean Ofcom delaying a decision on whether or not to launch an investigation into YouView, whose JV partners include ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5, TalkTalk, BT and Arqiva.
It is understood that Sky’s complaint focuses on two areas: firstly, that there is no need for BBC involvement in the project since there is no evidence of any market failure in the IPTV sector; and secondly, that having the partners involved in the project sign up for a universal platform will stifle innovation and competition.
Sky’s complaint follows that of rival Virgin Media, which in August complained that YouView – at the time known as Project Canvas – would “significantly and irreparably harm” the TV sector as customers “lose out on the greater quality and choice that a competitive and open market creates.”
A number of smaller IPTV firms have also protested the JV.
Sky confirmed it had made a submission to Ofcom and the Office of Fair Trading, but said it would not be making details of the filing public.
YouView CEO Richard Halton said: “While we welcome justifiable scrutiny, the timing of this submission is clearly designed to extend the regulatory process in pursuit of commercial self interest rather than the public interest.”
