Sky respond to BT's complaints of unfair advertising denial on Sky Sports: Here's what they said!

   Some of you regular readers out there might remember when we covered BT's accusations that suggested Sky wrongfully denied them the right to advertise on their Sports channels. Well Sky don't necessarily agree with BT's accusations as you would expect and this is what they offered in reply. The reply comes direct from Gary McWilliam who is Sky's Group Director of Corporate Affairs and here's what he said:

Dear Sir
BT complains that Sky has chosen not to carry advertising for its sports channels on Sky Sports.  For us, this is perfectly reasonable given the billions that we have invested to build our brand. As one media buyer has observed, it would be a “bit like Tesco being able to advertise inside Sainsbury’s”.
We must correct BT’s assertion that it is “happy to take Sky’s advertising but they seem afraid of taking ours”. For the record, BT advertises on Sky every month of the year and can promote its sports channels on all of our channels except Sky Sports. More pertinently, Sky is blacklisted by BT from advertising on the web portal aimed at its broadband customers. This has been the case since we entered the home communications marketplace in competition with BT several years ago.
Instead of complaining, we got on with building a successful broadband business. BT, in contrast, has taken the well-worn path to Ofcom’s door and compared itself to “a new born puppy”. Before honing its soundbites or filing yet another complaint, this £22 billion gorilla in puppy’s clothing would do well to look at its own double standards.
Graham McWilliam
Sky

   After reading that you do feel slightly sympathetic for Sky, it does seem as though BT are trying to get something which they know they can't have by heading to the regulators. We have a sneaky feeling that OFCOM will come down on Sky's side in this debate, but it's hard to be sure!
   You can check out the statement at the source link at Sky's corporate 'views' page here!
Via BSkyB Twitter.

Posted in: BT,BT adverts on Sky Sports,OFCOM,Sky,Sky Sports