Watchdog opens investigation into DAZN-TIM deal

Italy’s antitrust regulator has opened a formal probe into the deal between DAZN and TIM.

Announced prior to DAZN’s ‘historic’ Serie A rights win, the deal with TIM provides the operator with exclusive access to the streamer as the only telco that can offer its customers a subscription. 

The deal has been met by resistance from rival operator Sky Italia, which last month launched an antitrust challenge on the grounds that the partnership is “illegitimate”. Reuters also reported that TIM’s rivals including mobile operator Windtre have called on Italy’s competition authorities to safeguard the right to choose where they watch football.

Following these complaints, the watchdog has officially opened an inquiry, stating: “The agreement between TIM and DAZN could lead to significant distortions of competition.”

The authority goes on to note that the deal could limit competitive development in the fixed retail, wholesale broadband services, mobile telecommunications and pay TV markets.

Initial proposed measures include the suspension of TIM’s exclusive distribution agreement, which it said would alleviate some of the competition concerns.