The BBC, ITV, BT, and sports production company IMG have been fined a total of £4.2m for unlawfully exchanging information about fees for freelance workers at football and rugby matches. This breach of competition law affected workers such as camera operators and sound technicians, according to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA).

The CMA initiated an investigation into potential cartel behavior in 2022 after a tip-off from Sky, which broadcasts numerous Premier League football matches annually. Sky, which was found to be the most persistent offender with 10 instances of anti-competitive behavior, avoided a fine by alerting the CMA.

Between 2014 and 2021, producers at the broadcasters shared pay details amongst themselves to limit the pay for freelancers, on whom much of the TV industry relies. The CMA stated that “in most cases, the explicit aim was to coordinate how much to pay freelancers.”

Companies involved in the investigation included the BBC, Hartswood Films, Hat Trick Productions, ITV, Red Planet Pictures, Sister Pictures, and Tiger Aspect Productions. BT, which no longer broadcasts sports, will pay £1.7m for six violations, while IMG will also pay £1.7m, BBC £424,000, and ITV £340,000. All companies received discounts for settling early.

Juliette Enser, the CMA’s executive director for competition enforcement, emphasized that it is crucial for freelancers to be paid fairly and for companies to set rates independently to encourage competitiveness. The CMA also mentioned the closure of a separate investigation into production companies beyond sports, without reaching a conclusion regarding anti-competitive practices.

The BBC spokesperson stated that the organization takes its competition law obligations seriously and values its freelancers. ITV declined to comment.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/mar/21/uk-broadcasters-bbc-itv-bt-img-fined-illegally-sharing-freelancers-details