The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has published a case study highlighting its recent investigation into pay collusion among leading UK sports broadcasters and production companies, which resulted in fines of over £4.2 million.
The regulator’s inquiry, concluded in March 2025, found that Sky, BT, IMG, ITV and the BBC exchanged sensitive information on the rates paid to freelance staff such as camera operators, sound technicians and producers. According to the CMA, the companies shared details of day rates and holiday pay on at least 15 occasions, often with the explicit aim of aligning fees.
The case study, published on 9 September 2025, outlines examples of emails and WhatsApp messages between the firms, including one exchange where a company told a rival: “On this occasion I think it sensible that we present a united front.” Another message read: “We’re thinking some rates might need adjusting… Wanted to be clear we have no intention of getting into a bidding war just want to be aligned and benchmark the rates.”
The CMA said that sharing competitively sensitive information in this way reduced competition for freelance labour and risked harming workers as well as other businesses.
BT, IMG, ITV and the BBC admitted to breaking the law and agreed to pay fines totalling £4,240,356, which included reductions for settling the case. Sky avoided financial penalties entirely by alerting the CMA to the cartel and cooperating fully under its leniency programme.
The case study also sets out lessons for businesses, stressing that companies must set pay rates independently and ensure staff understand competition law. It notes that cooperating with investigations can result in reduced penalties or immunity from fines.
The CMA is encouraging employers and recruiters to seek guidance on handling sensitive information and to make use of its resources, including its Cheating or Competing website.
