The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is investigating suspected anti-competitive behaviour relating to the hiring of freelance TV crew by the BBC, ITV and a number of indie production companies.
The authority said it is probing “suspected breaches of competition law” by the BBC, ITV Hartswood Films, Hat Trick Productions, Red Planet, Sister Pictures and Tiger Aspect Productions.
The probe is “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.”
The CMA said it has reasonable grounds to suspect one or more breaches of competition law, without providing specific details. It does not say why the companies, which are all active in the drama production space, have been named.
In a statement, the CMA said it 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 of the companies. It stressed that not all cases result in the CMA issuing a statement of objections.
The CMA is separately investigating suspected breaches of competition law relating to similar breaches of competition law in sports production and broadcasting.
You are not signed in
Only registered users can comment on this article.
Analysts say Banijay All3 merger is "bang on trend"
Banijay Group and RedBird IMI have agreed to merge Banijay Entertainment and All3Media to create a global media and entertainment company called Banijay.
Paramount plans to combine HBO Max and Paramount+
Paramount+ and HBO Max will be merged into one streaming service, according to David Ellison, CEO of Paramount.
Tilly Norwood creator makes key hire amid plans to ramp up business
Tilly Norwood AI talent studio Xicoia – founded by Particle6 CEO Eline van der Velden – has made its first major hire, bringing in former Amazon Prime Video executive Mark Whelan as Head of Strategy and Operations.
Winter Olympic Games 2026 is most-watched ever for European broadcasters
The Winter Olympic Games in Milano Cortina have achieved strong results for European public service broadcasters.
Jonathan Allan to step down from Channel 4
Channel 4’s interim Chief Executive Jonathan Allan is to leave the organisation after 15 years.
