BBC and ITV investigated for suspected breaches of competition law
THE BBC and ITV are being investigated over suspected competition law breaches when hiring freelance crew.
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) say BBC and ITV are among seven companies being probed over suspected breaches in relation to “the purchase of freelance services and the employment of staff supporting the production, creation and/or broadcasting of television content in the UK, excluding sport content”.
It is also investigating production companies Hartswood Films, Hat Trick Productions, Red Planet Pictures, Sister Pictures and Tiger Aspect Productions.
Hartswood Films is the production company behind the BBC’s hit series, Sherlock starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman.
Hat Trick Productions is responsible for producing BBC shows such as Mastermind and Have I Got News For You, as well as the ITV favourite, Dinner Date. Meanwhile, Red Planet Pictures has been responsible for bringing Death in Paradise and Beyond Paradise to the screen.
Sister Pictures and Tiger Aspect Pictures have also looked after a number of BBC and ITV shows over the years, including Broadchurch and The Vicar of Dibley, respectively.
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The CMA said it launched its investigation under section 25 of the Competition Act 1998 (CA98), which seeks to prevent the “prevention, restriction or distortion of competition” in Britain, adding it “believes it has reasonable grounds to suspect one or more breaches of competition law.”
A statement said: “The CMA has not reached a view as to whether there is sufficient evidence of an infringement of competition law for it to issue a statement of objections to any party or parties.
“Not all cases result in the CMA issuing a statement of objections and no assumption should be made at this stage that the CA98 has been infringed.”
ITV said: “ITV confirms that together with other organisations, it has received a case initiation notice from the CMA.
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“ITV is committed to complying with competition law and to co-operating with the CMA’s inquiries.
“ITV does not propose to comment further at this stage.”
The BBC, Hartswood Films, Hat Trick, Red Planet Pictures, Sister Pictures and Tiger Aspect have been contacted for comment.