Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.So Sky has finally won its five-year battle with rivals and regulators over the latter’s hated “must offer” rule. Under the regulation, Ofcom required it to offer its sports channels at a discounted wholesale price to rivals. The aim was to stop it abusing its dominant position. The basis for Ofcom’s change of heart is that the market has changed; consumers have a much wider range of platforms from which to sample their sports poison.
Ofcom has ordered Sky to behave itself in future negotiations with rivals – but did it even need to? The aggressive move into sports rights by one of those platforms – BT – has smashed the effective monopoly Sky enjoyed over content, internet-savvy football fans have long been able to find places to watch for free, and American Football fans can see any games they want by subscribing to the league’s Game Pass.
Others may look at such developments with interest. Sky remains very powerful but for the first time in years it is just possible to see it as vulnerable.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments