EU accuses Sky and Hollywood's big six of illegally 'geo-blocking' film access

Broadcaster's UK arm and studios such as Disney and Paramount alleged to have struck anti-competitive deals under EU rules

The European commission has accused Sky and six Hollywood studios of putting up anti-competitive barriers that restrict consumers from watching the films and TV shows of their choice. The commission, which has sweeping powers to stop anti-competitive practices, accuses Britain's biggest pay-TV broadcaster and major film-makers of creating bilateral agreements that mean consumers outside the UK and Ireland cannot get access to Sky's full range of programming.

If upheld, the charges could change the way subscription television services are paid for and watched throughout the European Union. With pay-TV stations largely operating within national boundaries, there are potential big repercussions for a market of more than 500 million consumers if they are allowed to buy content from any EU broadcaster, regardless of where they live.