Sky cleared of overcharging Rapture

Regulator Ofcom has cleared BSkyB of allegations that it overcharged a channel for a listing on its electronic programme guide (EPG). Entertainment channel Rapture TV claimed Sky had breached its regulatory obligations by offering unfair listing terms.

With an annual turnover of under £150,000, the channel believed its £76,800 EPG bill was “unduly high.” Sky charges for EPG listings to recover the costs of developing and running the EPG and the satellite TV platform. Though in a draft decision released this week, Ofcom said Sky’s charge had been “fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory”. Ofcom is inviting responses to the draft ruling by the end of next week.