Swiss cable-television operators have filed a complaint to the Swiss Competition Commission to request access to the sports rights held by telecommunications company Swisscom, according to public-service broadcaster RTS’s news website.
Swisscom is accused of having established a monopoly by strengthening its position in the sports-rights market.
The Swiss regulator last month launched an investigation into possible anti-trust violations by Swisscom and media group Cinetrade.
A preliminary investigation revealed evidence of possible violations by Swisscom and Cinetrade's pay-television service, Teleclub, with regard to live sports coverage.
A full investigation will focus on whether Cinetrade has discriminated against rivals of Swisscom, which carries Teleclub, by failing to offer other operators the same carriage terms. Swisscom holds a 49-per-cent stake in Cinetrade.