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.
Channel 5 rebrands linear and streaming platforms
The UK’s Channel 5 and My5 have relaunched as 5, uniting the broadcaster’s linear and streaming platforms under one brand.
Comcast agrees $3bn Olympics rights and technology deal
Comcast NBC Universal has agreed a $3bn deal that will keep its NBC network and streaming platform Peacock as the US homes of the Olympic Games through 2036.
BBC leads nominations for RTS Programme Awards 2025
The Royal Television Society (RTS) has revealed the nominations for its Programme Awards 2025, which take place on March 25 at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House Hotel in London.
BBC secures TV rights for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland international football
The BBC has agreed an exclusive deal to broadcast Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland men’s international football matches in the run-up to the FIFA Men’s World Cup 2026.
Shadowbox Studios hires Mike Mosallam as Chief Operating Officer
Global studio operator Shadowbox Studios, the owner of Atlanta’s Shadowbox Studios in the US and Shinfield Studios in the UK, has appointed Mike Mosallam as its first Chief Operating Officer.
