ITV PLC (LSE:ITV) has disclosed that it is subject to a Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) investigation into suspected breaches of competition law.
Operating under section 25 of the Competition Act 1998, the CMA is looking into several key players in the production, creation and broadcasting of television content.
The probe revolves around the acquisition of services from freelance providers and the employment of personnel engaged in supporting television content production within the UK, excluding sports content.
Among the entities facing investigation alongside ITV are the BBC, Hartswood Films, Hat Trick Productions, Red Planet Pictures, Sister Pictures and Tiger Aspect Productions.
The CMA said it “has not reached a view as to whether there is sufficient evidence of an infringement of competition law for it to issue a statement of objections to any party or parties”.
ITV confirmed it had received an initiation notice for the investigation from the CMA, stating that the broadcaster is “committed to complying with competition law and to cooperating with the CMA's inquiries”.
ITV said it was not providing further comment at this stage.