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| Virgin asks Ofcom to probe Premier League TV costs | Virgin asks Ofcom to probe Premier League TV costs |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Virgin Media has asked broadcast regulator Ofcom to open an investigation into the way that the Premier League sells the TV rights to its live football games. | Virgin Media has asked broadcast regulator Ofcom to open an investigation into the way that the Premier League sells the TV rights to its live football games. |
| The cable firm says the auction process is driving up prices for fans and causing "significant consumer harm". | The cable firm says the auction process is driving up prices for fans and causing "significant consumer harm". |
| "UK fans pay the highest prices in Europe to watch football on TV," said Virgin Media. | "UK fans pay the highest prices in Europe to watch football on TV," said Virgin Media. |
| Ofcom said it was "considering" the issue. | Ofcom said it was "considering" the issue. |
| Virgin Media, owned by Liberty Global, said earlier this year that it did not plan to bid in the next auction. | Virgin Media, owned by Liberty Global, said earlier this year that it did not plan to bid in the next auction. |
| However, Virgin says it is still affected because it has to pay higher prices to buy the sports channels from BSkyB and BT. | |
| BSkyB and BT currently share the rights to televise the Premier League football games. | BSkyB and BT currently share the rights to televise the Premier League football games. |
| The price for the latest rights deal - covering 2013-16 - rose 70% to £3bn when it was announced in 2012. | The price for the latest rights deal - covering 2013-16 - rose 70% to £3bn when it was announced in 2012. |
| Virgin Media filed its complaint to Ofcom earlier this month. | Virgin Media filed its complaint to Ofcom earlier this month. |
| Ofcom said it would take about eight weeks to consider the complaint "before deciding whether any further action is required". | Ofcom said it would take about eight weeks to consider the complaint "before deciding whether any further action is required". |