This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/business/6410435.stm

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Consumer body angry at BSkyB row Consumer body angry at BSkyB row
(20 minutes later)
The National Consumer Council may ask for a review of the digital television market after Virgin Media stopped broadcasting some BSkyB channels.The National Consumer Council may ask for a review of the digital television market after Virgin Media stopped broadcasting some BSkyB channels.
The broadcasters were accused of "behaving like children" by the organisation, which is considering making an official complaint.The broadcasters were accused of "behaving like children" by the organisation, which is considering making an official complaint.
The switch-off came on Wednesday after the deadline passed for the companies to resolve a row over TV rights.The switch-off came on Wednesday after the deadline passed for the companies to resolve a row over TV rights.
The two companies argued over whether BSkyB's higher fees were justified.The two companies argued over whether BSkyB's higher fees were justified.
'Posturing''Posturing'
HAVE YOUR SAY Let's have a common sense solution and one that puts the customers first Philip Cullem, NCC Q&A: Sky & VirginHAVE YOUR SAY Let's have a common sense solution and one that puts the customers first Philip Cullem, NCC Q&A: Sky & Virgin
Philip Cullem, deputy chief executive of the National Consumer Council, accused both broadcasters of "behaving like children". Philip Cullem, deputy chief executive of the consumer council, accused both broadcasters of "behaving like children".
He told BBC Radio Five Live: "At the end of the month we'll make a decision about putting in the super-complaint that that will help to knock heads together. "At the end of the month we'll make a decision about putting in the super-complaint that that will help to knock heads together," he told BBC Radio Five Live.
"It's time to get them back round a table - let's have a common-sense solution and one that puts the customers first, rather than all this posturing between two rather big media companies." "It's time to get them back round a table. Let's have a common-sense solution and one that puts the customers first, rather than all this posturing between two rather big media companies."
Talks between the two broadcasters broke down last week.Talks between the two broadcasters broke down last week.
Virgin Media said it had made "continued efforts" to strike a deal with Sky, but that its rival broadcaster had rejected an offer of independent arbitration. Virgin Media welcomed the consumer group's comments and said that Thursday had been "a bad day for UK consumers".
"We're disappointed but not surprised by this outcome," said Virgin Media chief executive Steve Burch. "This dispute is one example of deep-rooted structural flaws in the way the UK's pay-TV market operates," a spokesperson said.
"Nothing Sky have said or done in the course of the negotiation indicates they had the slightest interest in doing a commercially viable deal." "We would welcome a thorough investigation of the causes of this and possible solution by the relevant regulatory authorities and would co-operate fully with any such enquiry."
A Sky spokesman said: "We know that Sky's basic channels have many loyal cable viewers and our aim has been to avoid any disruption to their enjoyment of our programmes. We're disappointed that we will now be denied access to cable TV homes. It added it had always been open to discussions with Sky to find a settlement that would allow it to continue providing their basic channels "on fair and reasonable terms".
"We've made repeated efforts to reach an agreement, but Virgin Media has rejected all of our proposals." BSkyB argued that the system discriminated against it - as it was dependent on others to allow its channels to be seen by non-satellite audiences.
Virgin Media - which was formed from the merger of cable TV firm NTL and Virgin Mobile - accused BSkyB of "bullying" and "arrogance". "The broadcasting marketplace in the UK is hugely competitive and dynamic, with customers having more choice than ever before," a spokesman said.
"We've invited Virgin to retail our channels directly to customers on its network but it has refused, just as it has rejected our latest offer for our package of basic channels.
"We would like our channels to be on cable television, but there's no mechanism to do that [without Virgin's agreement]."
Jibe
Virgin Media had warned it would drop the Sky Basics TV package, which also includes Sky News, Sky Travel and Sky Sports News, if agreement on a new contract to replace its current one could not be reached.Virgin Media had warned it would drop the Sky Basics TV package, which also includes Sky News, Sky Travel and Sky Sports News, if agreement on a new contract to replace its current one could not be reached.
Sky One includes popular series such as 24 and Lost, as well as new episodes of The Simpsons.Sky One includes popular series such as 24 and Lost, as well as new episodes of The Simpsons.
The latest war of words between the two firms came as Virgin Media revealed that 37,000 customers had left the company during the final three months of 2006, before the firm's rebranding. After the channels were withdrawn, Virgin began broadcasting an on-screen jibe at its rival.
However, Virgin Media said revenues had remained ahead of expectations at £1.08bn ($2.1bn), from £916.1m a year ago on a pro-forma basis. Channel 602, the former slot of Sky News, was labelled as Sky Snooze.
On Monday, the government ordered media regulator Ofcom to investigate BSkyB's controversial purchase of a 17.9% stake in ITV. However, Virgin head Richard Branson ordered the screens to be removed, saying the firm did not want to be disrespectful to Sky.
BSkyB's decision to buy into ITV was seen by some as an attempt to block a bid for the firm from its then rival NTL.
The government said it had asked the watchdog to advise on whether November's share deal was against the public interest.