Press Release: Commission launches sector inquiry into the sale of sports rights to Internet and 3G mobile operators

The European Commission has decided to launch a broad investigation regarding the sale of sports rights to Internet companies and to providers of the third generation (3G) of mobile phone services. The purpose of the inquiry is to have as clear and wide a view as possible of the availability of audiovisual sports rights in the European Union. Sports rights and notably football rights are powerful drivers for the sale of pay-TV subscriptions but also for the roll-out of new media markets, such as enhanced Internet and UMTS services. In the interest of entrepreneurship, consumer choice and innovation, the Commission wants to make sure that access to this key premium content is not unduly restricted.