At 1pm on Monday the 31st of March at Bloomsbury Place, London, the Competition Commission Appeals Tribunal will hand down it's ruling in the Rapture TV Appeal against Ofcom and BSkyB.

Rapture TV, a small independent youth entertainment channel that has disputed the cost of the BSkyB EPG (Electronic Programme Guide), was removed by BSkyB on March the 19th 2007.

BSkyB had been demanding a fee which was for other non-EPG costs included in the EPG fee. This is the first case of its kind to be Appealed and therefore the outcome will have far reaching affects for all broadcasters on Digital Satellite - both here in the UK and elsewhere in Europe - who wish to purchase an EPG service from BSkyB.

David Henry, the Managing Director of Rapture TV, said ‘We hope that the CAT has found in our favour and that Ofcom will from now on follow the rules and regulations and enforce them. BSkyB has admitted during this case that it charges fees that are not just for the EPG and this has had a damaging affect on many small digital TV channels. We hope BSkyB will act quickly to repair the damage that the excessive EPG fees has had on the whole industry. We would like to thank the law firm of Orrick for their support in mounting the Appeal, and for the services of Michael Bowsher QC and Elisa Homes QC who have all provided their services to Rapture on a Pro Bono basis’.

A further statement and press release will be made shortly after the ruling has been handed down.

Further information is available by emailing us here.

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