Serie A: investigation into anti-competitive agreement by Sky, Mediaset, the League and Infront

The AGCM, the Italian competition authority, have opened an investigation into an alleged anti-competitive agreement between the audiovisual groups Sky Italia and RTI-Mediaset, the Lega Serie A and its media advisor, the agency Infront Italy, as part of the marketing of the domestic audiovisual rights to the 2015-2018 Serie A TIM on 19/05/2015. Searches were carried out on the same day at the offices of the four entities.

The tender for the 2015-2018 domestic audiovisual rights to the Italian first division was launched by the league and Infront on 19/05/2014, and the main lots were awarded on 26/06/2014. The AGCM believes that "the result of the sale of TV rights was modified by an agreement that restricted competition and was concluded between the two broadcasters with the League itself encouraging the agreement between the two pay-TV groups, in violation of European treaties (Treaty of Rome, Article 101, paragraph 1)".

While Sky Italia had submitted the highest bids on lots A and B, and Mediaset on Lot D (see details below), the Lega Serie A ultimately awarded Lot A to Sky and B…