CMA widens probe into how TV producers pay freelancers

UK regulators are looking into suspected "anti-competitive behaviour" in how TV producers and broadcasters use freelance services and employ staff, and are investigating a number of corporations including the BBC and ITV.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said on Thursday that it was investigating possible infringements of competition law involved in the production, creation and broadcasting of TV content.

The investigation is looking specifically into the "purchase of services from freelance providers, and the employment of staff, who support the production, creation and/or broadcasting of television content in the UK, excluding sport content".

The CMA confirmed it was investigating the BBC, Hartswood Films, Hat Trick Productions, ITV, Red Plannet Pictures, Sister Pictures and Tiger Aspect Productions.

Back in April the regulator said it was looking into suspected anti-competitive behaviour in how sports content is being made. At the time, leaked emails to the FT suggested that media groups were allegedly colluding on the price offered to freelance camera operators filming sports games.

Now it appears that this investigation has widened to include all TV content.

"At this stage the CMA believes it has reasonable grounds to suspect one or more breaches of competition law. The CMA has not reached a view as to whether there is sufficient evidence of an infringement of competition law for it to issue a statement of objections to any party or parties," the CMA said.

ITV said in a statement that it had received a case initiation notice from the CMA. "ITV is committed to complying with competition law and to cooperating with the CMA's inquiries. ITV does not propose to comment further at this stage," it said.