Sky has hit out at Ed Richards, the former chief executive of Ofcom, after he said that he felt “vindicated” by court rulings in favour of the UK media regulator against the pay-television broadcaster.
Last month, Richards, who stepped down at the end of the year, said of Sky’s legal challenges to Ofcom: “My regret is that we have spent years and years in court and millions and millions of pounds in a court battle which takes too long, costs too much and I don’t think is particularly helpful.”
However, according to the Guardian newspaper, Graham McWilliam, the group director of corporate affairs at Sky, responded by saying: “After eight years running Ofcom, Ed Richards could be forgiven for being a little demob happy as he reflects on his time as chief executive. However, his memory is mistaken if he feels ‘vindicated’ in relation to the long-running legal case over Ofcom’s decision to force Sky to supply certain sports channels at prices set by the regulator.”
McWilliam added: “At this time, the final outcome is yet to be determined and Ofcom’s core argument in favour of intervention has been found in court to be without foundation, the regulator having misinterpreted evidence to a significant extent. Contrary to what Mr Richards appears to suggest, that ruling has not been overturned in subsequent hearings. While it may be ‘unhelpful’ in his eyes for Ofcom decisions to be subject to appeal, it is hardly surprising that companies should seek independent judicial scrutiny when they believe, as Sky does in this case and as the court has confirmed, that the regulator has made serious mistakes.”
Last month, Ofcom launched a public consultation into its 2010 ruling that Sky’s dominance of UK pay-television sports rights could harm competition.