Antitrust: one million fine to Sky for football package

Stangat for Sky Italia: the Antitrust has decided to fine Sky Italia 1 million euros for misleading information on the football package. According to the Authority a year ago Sky had erroneously hinted at its subscribers that they could continue to watch Serie A matches as happened in the previous season. The Authority closed the investigation with a 1 million euro fine for the dissemination of misleading information on the award of football rights to Serie A football championship matches.

The violation

—

The Authority ascertained that Sky Italia, in violation of article 21 of the Consumer Code, in spring 2021 represented a situation of uncertainty regarding the award of the Serie A rights, suggesting the possibility for its subscribers to be able to continue to enjoy the contents related to the Serie A championship, as happened in the previous season. Following the conclusion of the tender for the assignment of the exclusive television rights of seven Serie A matches for each matchday, Sky Italia was aware that it was unable to offer the Sky Calcio package in the previous composition. But, according to the Antitrust Authority, the company has also provided its customers with information that did not allow them to understand the actual content of the offer relating to the Sky Calcio package for the 2021/22 season, leaking the possibility that the offer could remain. unchanged from the past.

Countryside

—

Only with a campaign that ended on 1 July 2021, the messages on the new configuration of the Football package, disseminated by Sky Italia in individual communications addressed to all subscribers, were found to be suitable for providing timely and effective information on the actual contents of the football offer. The customer already subscribed to the services of the company, and in particular to the Football package, was therefore oriented to keep the package in place, with a view to being able to take advantage of the promised discounts for the summer months but also, subsequently, to be able to withdraw without penalties. .