The Dutch competition authority Dutch regulator Autoriteit Consument en Markt (ACM) has ended its preliminary investigation into Fox Sports Eredivisie.
The ACM has insufficient evidence that consumers suffer from the change in terms that Fox proposed last year to the distributors of Eredivisie live football. That’s why the ACM stops the preliminary investigation.
Cable operator CAIW had asked the ACM whether Fox with the amendments to the Changes to the conditions for carriage of Eredivisie live violated the Dutch Competition Act.
Fox is the sole party holding the right to to broadcast live games of the top Dutch football league, the Eredivisie. Fox exploits the rights through the joint venture Eredivisie Media and Marketing.
Distributors such as CAIW, Ziggo and KPN have no alternative to getting access to Eredivisie live football from another provider. Last year, Fox changed the conditions for broadcasting rights for a large number of distributors.
Only Ziggo, whose contract continues until 2020, still has the old conditions. Changing terms could have a negative impact on consumers, but the ACM now has insufficient evidence to this effect. The regulator said no further examination is not necessary.
The new prices of different packages with Eredivisie Football are varied and often lower than the older ones. Also, ACM is of the opinion that the Eredivisie live broadcast rights are just one of the components of the offer of the distributors.When choosing a provider, consumers pay attention to the price for the whole package and to internet speed.
