Swisscom is appealing against the fine of 72 million francs in the Pay-TV procedure, information confirmed to AWP on Friday by a spokesperson for the incumbent operator.
The Federal Administrative Court (TAF) confirmed a month ago the sanction pronounced in 2016 against Swisscom by the Competition Commission (Comco) over the rights to broadcast sporting events.
The fine was aimed at the blue giant and its subsidiary Cinetrade – meanwhile renamed Blue Entertainment – for having abused their dominant position in the market for the live transmission of Swiss football and ice hockey matches on pay television between 2002 and 2013.
The former federal government had refused several competitors any offer to broadcast live sports on its platform, and granted others only a reduced offer. In her argument, she highlighted the need to protect the significant investments made at the time.
The subject of the dispute has since disappeared, with all TV customers now having access to all sports content from Swisscom and Sunrise UPC. However, the latter has still not ruled out the filing of a complaint for damages by civil means. “We are analyzing the situation,” said a spokesman for Swisscom’s main rival.
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