BBC, ITV, BT and IMG were fined with a joint 4.2 million pounds after acknowledging wage rates for independent sports broadcasting employees, after a great investigation by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA).
CMA found that the four companies have participated in secret information to coordinate the extent of the independents ’pushing such as cameras and voice technicians – in fair competition in the labor market.
Sky, who also participated in illegal discussions, avoided a financial penalty after reporting its participation in the organizer before the start of the investigation in 2022.
According to CMA, companies often exchanged details about prices and agreed not to compete. In one case, a commercial company stated that “there is no intention to enter into a bidding war” and instead wanted to “set prices” with a competitor. In another case, a company said it was aimed at “providing a unified front” on wages.
Sky is identified as the most common participant, participating in 10 separate violations. BT and IMG were found that it has broke the rules six times and has been fined 1.7 million pounds each. ITV, BBC 340,000 pounds, and 420,000 pounds, respectively for five and three breaches.
All four organizations have received reduced grams after recognition of responsibility and the settlement of the case.
Juliet Eser, Executive Director of Competition in CMA, said that the practice that unfairly affected the independent workers behind the scenes of the sports broadcast. She said: “Millions of sports watch on TV every day, as production teams work hard to make this possible – and this is only true that they are paid somewhat.” “Companies must independently determine wage rates to maintain the competitiveness of the market. Not to do so can leave workers outside its pocket.”
Both broadcasters have issued in response to the ruling.
A BBC spokesman said that the organization has fully cooperated and confessed to its role in violations as soon as possible. They added: “We strongly appreciate the independents we are working with and we will continue to invest in talents and develop them.”
ITV said it has strengthened compliance measures throughout the work, saying it was “completely committed to the competition law.”
IMG has confirmed that it had taken all the steps necessary to address previous compliance issues, while BT said it had provided additional guarantees to ensure the inclusion of competition law obligations throughout the organization.
Sky has not yet released a general comment.