Italian Court Lifts Sky Restrictions Over Mediaset TV Deal

An Italian administrative court has lifted antitrust restrictions preventing Italy’s top pay-TV player Sky from buying exclusive content for its online platform, reported Reuters.

The ruling could be a boost for Sky, owned by US media giant Comcast, as it looks to head off increasing competition from streaming services like Netflix and digital sports firm DAZN. 

Last year, Italy’s competition watchdog imposed a three-year ban preventing Sky’s Italian business from buying exclusive content on its online video-streaming service platform, including lucrative soccer broadcasting rights. 

The antitrust decision came after a deal between Sky Italia and Italy’s biggest commercial broadcaster Mediaset in the pay TV segment, which the regulator stated would irreparably limit competition in a market where Sky is already a dominant player.

Sky Italia CEO Maximo Ibarra said in a statement the company was satisfied with the court decision.

Full Content: Reuters

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