BBC, ITV, BT and IMG Hit With $5.7 Million in Fines for Freelancer Pay Collusion

Five of Britain’s biggest sports broadcasting and production companies have been sanctioned by the U.K. Competition and Markets Authority for illegally sharing sensitive information about freelancer pay rates, with four firms ordered to pay a combined £4.2 million ($5.7 million) in fines.

The CMA investigation revealed that Sky, BT, IMG, ITV and BBC colluded on rates paid to freelance workers including camera operators, sound technicians and producers working on major soccer games and rugby tournaments. The companies shared competitively sensitive information on 15 occasions between pairs of the broadcasters, with most exchanges explicitly aimed at coordinating freelancer compensation.

“We pay our Studio Vision Mixers £(X) per day for a 10x hour shift,” read one email to a competitor, according to CMA findings. The response: “That’s exactly the same as we pay. Good to know we are aligned there.”

Other exchanges uncovered by investigators examining emails and WhatsApp messages showed the companies’ intent to present “a united front” on rates. One message stated: “We’re thinking some rates might need adjusting for 2022/23 but want to be aligned. Wanted to be clear we have no intention of getting into a bidding war just want to be aligned and benchmark the rates.”

Another email revealed a company’s strategy: “When we raise rates, I always try to canvas opinion so as not to cause too much ‘market’ disruption.”

The CMA determined that such information sharing between competitors can reduce market competition, potentially harming consumers, other businesses and workers. With high numbers of freelancers in the arts and creative industries, the authority emphasized the importance of fair competition for labor.

BT, IMG, ITV and BBC agreed to pay the fines, which included discounts for admitting wrongdoing and settling the case. BT, IMG and ITV received additional reductions under the CMA’s leniency program after coming forward about their involvement following unannounced visits to their premises.

Sky escaped financial penalty entirely by alerting the CMA to its involvement before the investigation launched and fully cooperating throughout the process. Under competition law, companies that are first to report cartel involvement can receive immunity from fines, while cooperating directors can avoid disqualification.

Variety has reached out to the BBC, ITV, BT, IMG and Sky for comment.