Virgin Media and BSkyB face long wait for legal verdict

by Jacquie Bowser, Brand Republic 24-Jul-07, 15:05

LONDON - The legal fight between Virgin Media and Sky will not be resolved until 2009, after the broadcasters agreed on a timetable in which the trial would not commence until the middle of next year.

Andrew Morritt, chancellor of the High Court, formally approved set dates for a pre-trial hearing in November this year and a document exchange in March 2008. The trial itself would not be expected to take place until some months after that and a verdict is not expected until 2009.

Virgin filed the case at the High Court in April this year, accusing Sky of anti-competitive behaviour.

The cable broadcaster alleged that Sky more than doubled the asking price of the rights allowing Virgin to carry its basic channel package and also threatened to pay nothing to Virgin for its channels, which include Bravo and Living TV.

Sky withdrew its basic package from Virgin at the end of February after the companies failed to reach an agreement on price. The basic package includes Sky News, Sky One and Sky Sports News.

Virgin has since said it expects to lose TV customers and has been offering big discounts to hang onto those threatening to go.

The company is expected to be auctioned off soon for an estimated £11bn. It has invited suitors to submit expressions of interest and detail their plans over the next three weeks.