The BBC, ITV, BT and sports producer IMG have been fined more than £4.2m between them for illegally sharing information about fees for freelance members of sports production crews.
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) ruling comes as seven organisations under separate investigation for non-sport production escape similar censure.
The CMA found 15 breaches of copyright law between 2014 and 2021. In each case, a pair of companies unlawfully shared sensitive information about pay, including day rates and pay rises, for workers at football and rugby matches.
It said this was conducted primarily to coordinate how much to pay freelance workers such as camera operators and sound technicians.
The CMA reported one unnamed business telling another that while they had “no intention of getting into a bidding war”, they wanted “to be aligned and benchmark the rates”.
Another said it wanted to “present a united front” with its competitor”.
Sky was the most persistent offender, with 10 instances of anti-competitive behaviour, but escaped a fine because it prompted the investigation by alerting the CMA to the problem in the first instance.
BT, which no longer broadcasts sport, and IMG, each made six infringements and will each pay £1.7m, with the BBC paying £424,000 for three infringements and ITV £340,000 for five.
All four received discounts for settling early after admitting to breaking the law.
“Companies should set rates independently of each other so pay is competitive,” said CMA executive director for competition enforcement. “Not doing so could leave workers out of pocket. Employers must ensure those who hire staff know the rules and stick to them to prevent this happening in the future.”
The BBC aid it “highly values” its freelancers and the broadcasters all said they had strengthened its competition law compliance measures. IMG has yet to comment.
The CMA has closed its investigation into non-sports production after failing to conclude whether the companies had engaged in anti-competitive practices.
The BBC, Hartswood Films, Hat Trick Productions, ITV, Red Planet Pictures, Sister Pictures and Tiger Aspect Productions will not face penalties.
The CMA said it would be “more proportionate” to highlight its concerns to each of the businesses so that they can take appropriate action to ensure they are complying with the law.
It will also publish further guidance for employers on how to avoid anti-competitive behaviour in labour markets in the coming months.
