(In the following post, Mr Sapan Parekh, a student at the National Law School of India University, Bangalore, considers whether the telecast policies of ESPN are consistent with competition law)
Football fans in India received the
shock of their lives when ESPN Star Sports (“ESS”)
did not broadcast the opening English Premier League match between Liverpool
and Stoke City on any of its regular channels (Star Sports and Star Cricket)
but only on Star Cricket HD (here).
This caused an outrage among the fans as was quite apparent from the nasty
comments on various fora operated by ESS. While ESS’s actions have been
condemned, whether the same can lead to any legal remedy is a question which
involves deep consideration of the Competition Act, 2002( “Act”).
shock of their lives when ESPN Star Sports (“ESS”)
did not broadcast the opening English Premier League match between Liverpool
and Stoke City on any of its regular channels (Star Sports and Star Cricket)
but only on Star Cricket HD (here).
This caused an outrage among the fans as was quite apparent from the nasty
comments on various fora operated by ESS. While ESS’s actions have been
condemned, whether the same can lead to any legal remedy is a question which
involves deep consideration of the Competition Act, 2002( “Act”).
The Act stipulates that no enterprise shall abuse
its dominant position [section 4(1)]. In order to come to any conclusion
regarding contravention of this provision, a step-by-step analysis is
imperative.
its dominant position [section 4(1)]. In order to come to any conclusion
regarding contravention of this provision, a step-by-step analysis is
imperative.
1. 1. Is
ESPN Star Sports an “enterprise” for the purposes of the Act?
ESPN Star Sports an “enterprise” for the purposes of the Act?
A fundamental issue that must be addressed at this
stage is whether the Act would be applicable to companies not incorporated in
India or in cases where the anticompetitive acts are carried outside the
territory of India. Generally, when determining the applicability of the Act in
such circumstances, the deciding factor is whether a company’s activities have
any anticompetitive effects in
the territory of India [s.3(1) and explanation to s.4]. It is
not necessary for the alleged anticompetitive acts (like an agreement) to have
been committed in India; just that the acts must cause/likely to
cause anticompetitive effects in
India. Thus, though ESS has not been incorporated in India, the Act
nevertheless governs its activities as far as its effects on the Indian market
are concerned.
stage is whether the Act would be applicable to companies not incorporated in
India or in cases where the anticompetitive acts are carried outside the
territory of India. Generally, when determining the applicability of the Act in
such circumstances, the deciding factor is whether a company’s activities have
any anticompetitive effects in
the territory of India [s.3(1) and explanation to s.4]. It is
not necessary for the alleged anticompetitive acts (like an agreement) to have
been committed in India; just that the acts must cause/likely to
cause anticompetitive effects in
India. Thus, though ESS has not been incorporated in India, the Act
nevertheless governs its activities as far as its effects on the Indian market
are concerned.
Section 2(h) of the Act defines enterprises as any
person (which includes a company) who engages in, inter alia, production of articles or goods, or the provision of
services of any kind. Further, section 2(u) defines “service” as including
service of any description made available to potential users in connection with,
inter alia, entertainment and
amusement. ESS is a corporation engaged in the broadcast of various national and
international sporting events (services for entertainment/amusement). Evidently,
ESS falls squarely within the definition
of “enterprise” for the purposes of section 2(h), thus attracting the full
force of the Act.
person (which includes a company) who engages in, inter alia, production of articles or goods, or the provision of
services of any kind. Further, section 2(u) defines “service” as including
service of any description made available to potential users in connection with,
inter alia, entertainment and
amusement. ESS is a corporation engaged in the broadcast of various national and
international sporting events (services for entertainment/amusement). Evidently,
ESS falls squarely within the definition
of “enterprise” for the purposes of section 2(h), thus attracting the full
force of the Act.
2. 2. Does
ESPN Star Sports have a dominant position?
ESPN Star Sports have a dominant position?
The Act defines a dominant position as a position of
strength which would allow an enterprise to operate independent of competitive
forces prevailing in the relevant market
or affect its competitors/consumers/ relevant
market in its favor (Explanation to section 4).
strength which would allow an enterprise to operate independent of competitive
forces prevailing in the relevant market
or affect its competitors/consumers/ relevant
market in its favor (Explanation to section 4).
From the definition of dominant position it is clear
that a dominant position is always with respect to a relevant market. The Act, in
section 2(r), states that the relevant market is to be determined with respect
to the relevant geographic market [area in which the conditions of competition
for goods/services are distinctly homogenous] and the relevant product market
[market comprising all products/services which are regarded as interchangeable
by the consumer]. In order to determine relevant product market reliance is
placed on the conditions stated in section 19(7). In the given circumstances, strong
consumer preference (as most football fans would attest to) and specialized
producers of the content [see section 19(7)(c) and 19(7)(e)] ensure that these
services provided by ESS cannot be substituted by services provided by any
other channel. Thus, the relevant market for ESS would be the market for
service of a broadcaster for Premier League matches in India.
that a dominant position is always with respect to a relevant market. The Act, in
section 2(r), states that the relevant market is to be determined with respect
to the relevant geographic market [area in which the conditions of competition
for goods/services are distinctly homogenous] and the relevant product market
[market comprising all products/services which are regarded as interchangeable
by the consumer]. In order to determine relevant product market reliance is
placed on the conditions stated in section 19(7). In the given circumstances, strong
consumer preference (as most football fans would attest to) and specialized
producers of the content [see section 19(7)(c) and 19(7)(e)] ensure that these
services provided by ESS cannot be substituted by services provided by any
other channel. Thus, the relevant market for ESS would be the market for
service of a broadcaster for Premier League matches in India.
Moreover, ESS is the only company with a license to
broadcast Premier league matches in India. Unarguably this constitutes a
commercial advantage over competitors [section 19(4)(d)]. This means that ESS
has a complete share of the relevant market. Thus, prima facie ESS is dominant in the relevant market.
broadcast Premier league matches in India. Unarguably this constitutes a
commercial advantage over competitors [section 19(4)(d)]. This means that ESS
has a complete share of the relevant market. Thus, prima facie ESS is dominant in the relevant market.
3. Has ESPN Star Sports abused its dominant
position?
position?
Section 4(2) of the Act comprehensively lists down
the acts of dominant enterprises which would be termed as abuse for the
purposes of this statute. For the purpose of this discussion, it can be argued
that ESS abused its dominance by (a) imposing supplementary obligations which
have no connection with the subject of contract, and (b) leveraging dominant position in one relevant market
[service of a broadcaster for Premier league matches in India] to protect another
relevant market[service of providing HD sports channels in India].
the acts of dominant enterprises which would be termed as abuse for the
purposes of this statute. For the purpose of this discussion, it can be argued
that ESS abused its dominance by (a) imposing supplementary obligations which
have no connection with the subject of contract, and (b) leveraging dominant position in one relevant market
[service of a broadcaster for Premier league matches in India] to protect another
relevant market[service of providing HD sports channels in India].
a. Supplementary
obligations which have no connection with the subject of contract
obligations which have no connection with the subject of contract
The consumers, till recently, paid a fixed amount
for viewing Premier League matches on the regular channels. However, suddenly ESS
expects consumers to pay for provision of the same service of broadcast but only in HD i.e. ESS has bundled HD
quality with the Premier League matches. This would prima facie constitute “tying”, i.e. it is impossible to take one
product without another. The acts of ESS would therefore constitute an abuse of
its dominant position. However, one should remember that not all forms of tying are anticompetitive. For
instance, railways on their certain long distant trains bundle food charges
with travel charges. However, it is not likely that this would be held as an
abuse of its dominant position as according to commercial usage there is a
rational nexus between availing the service of travel by trains on long distant
routes and the provision of food on
trains.
for viewing Premier League matches on the regular channels. However, suddenly ESS
expects consumers to pay for provision of the same service of broadcast but only in HD i.e. ESS has bundled HD
quality with the Premier League matches. This would prima facie constitute “tying”, i.e. it is impossible to take one
product without another. The acts of ESS would therefore constitute an abuse of
its dominant position. However, one should remember that not all forms of tying are anticompetitive. For
instance, railways on their certain long distant trains bundle food charges
with travel charges. However, it is not likely that this would be held as an
abuse of its dominant position as according to commercial usage there is a
rational nexus between availing the service of travel by trains on long distant
routes and the provision of food on
trains.
b. Leveraging dominant
position
position
The market for service of broadcast of HD sports channels in India is populated by channels like Ten HD, Trace Sports HD and SONY Six HD. These are competitors to ESPN HD and Star Cricket HD which are operated by ESS. It is arguable that ESS used its dominant position in the relevant market (broadcast of Premier league matches in India) to protect (and in all likelihood expand) its share in another market (the market for broadcast of HD sports channels in India). Given the frenzy surrounding Premier League matches, if such anticompetitive acts of ESS are allowed to continue, it would not be surprising if the demand for ESS’s HD channels hit the roof while its competitors lose market share.
While a prima facie case has been made out against ESS, however it would be hasty and incorrect to conclude that any act of an enterprise which adversely affects consumers would contravene the provisions of the Act. For instance, a broadcaster with an exclusive license for the broadcast of Cricket World Cup could definitely price his services higher than regular channels due to the high cost of the license or to possibly take advantage of the inelastic demand. This price hike would become anticompetitive and be categorized as an abuse of dominant position only if the new price is exorbitant, to the extent of being unfair to the consumers. Thus evidently, every act of an enterprise affecting consumers adversely would not be considered as anticompetitive. Only those acts which are committed by a dominant enterprise and which satisfy the conditions of abuse as enunciated under section 4 would be anticompetitive for purposes of section 4.
Remedy
The remedy is available under section 19 of the
Competition Act. Any person can file “information” regarding a supposed
contravention of the Act in the Competition Commission of India. If the
Commission finds a prima facie case
against ESS, it shall order the Director General to investigate the allegations
in the information and subsequent procedures would kick in, as has been mandated
under the Act (section 26).
Competition Act. Any person can file “information” regarding a supposed
contravention of the Act in the Competition Commission of India. If the
Commission finds a prima facie case
against ESS, it shall order the Director General to investigate the allegations
in the information and subsequent procedures would kick in, as has been mandated
under the Act (section 26).
Whether the machinery of the Competition Act shall
be used as a remedy for the alleged anticompetitive practices of ESPN Star Sports,
only time will tell.
be used as a remedy for the alleged anticompetitive practices of ESPN Star Sports,
only time will tell.
Its a very well written article and very well knit with the facts and law.
Thanks,
Nidhi
Any idea as to what was being shown on Star Sports and ESPN at the said time?
My point being,ultimately the discretion to decide which match has to be shown on which channel lies with ESS right, or would that also be construed as an abuse of dominant position?