A row has broken out between AKOP, an association representing 39 cable and IPTV operators in Bosnia & Herzegovina (B&H), and United Media, the content arm of United Group, the leading alternative telco in the former Yugoslav countries.
According to several reports in B&H, it relates to Sport Klub, a channel that AKOP argues United Media has made unaffordable to its members while at the same time providing it at favourable rates to those of the United Group. AKOP says that this amounts to a monopoly situation that runs counter to European regulations.
There are currently nearly 2 million pay-TV viewers in B&H who do not subscribe to Telemach Bosnia, the Bosnian member of United Group, and they will the amount they are requited to pay for Sport Klub rise from BAM5 (€2.56) to BAM7 a month.
In AKOP’s view, this will make the service unaffordable for most viewers.
Meanwhile, United Media denies the channel is too expensive, citing the rising cost of sports rights.
It also says that AKOP contradicts itself by saying on the one hand it provides TV services to over half the country’s population and on the other that United Group has a monopoly in B&H.