EU probes Sky TV contracts

EU regulators are examining whether BSKYB’s exclusive contracts for channels such as Disney and Discovery violate competition rules.

Michael Tscherny, spokesman for EU Competition Commissioner Mario Monti, said the European Commission was ‘‘beginning to look into’’ a complaint from a competitor, whom he declined to identify.

BSkyB said the Commission’s questions focus on exclusive agreements between BSkyB and programmers such as Discovery Communications.

Those deals prevent the programmers from offering some channels to ITV Digital.

‘‘The complaint alleges that the exclusive contracts contravene EU competition rules, are illicit agreements and have a potential for abuse,’’ Tscherny said.

BSkyB called the complaint groundless and said it was preparing a response for the Commission.