Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Sky TV highlights its monopoly abuse by silencing competitor
Sky TV handed Slingshot a huge publicity win when it banned the ISP from advertising on the pay television service.
The message here is very clear: We're frightened of Slingshot, we're frightened of competition and we know our monopoly rent seeking is threatened.
Slingshot
GM Taryn Hamilton says the move smacks of protectionism and
censorship.
“It’s a sad day when our TV stations start to ban ads because they feel threatened by one of their advertisers and the products they are offering. In this case Sky is using its position to obstruct Slingshot because they feel intimidated by Global Mode.“And the thing is, Global Mode only exists because Kiwis want access to quality streaming video at a good price. When and if local companies manage to finally crack that, then there will be no need for the service. But, until that time, people will use services like Global Mode so that they can see decent TV without having to get a second mortgage.”
To Sky's credit, it admitted to Tom Pullar-Strecker of Stuff the reasons for its ban: Sky TV bans Slingshot advertisements .
Bill Bennett
Freelance journalist.
Auckland-based Bill Bennett writes technology and business stories that are directly relevant to New Zealand readers.
His emphasis is on telecommunications, but he also covers other aspects of technology and business. You can find his features in the New Zealand Herald and hear him regularly on RNZ Nine to Noon and the NZ Tech Podcast.
Bennett's The Download Weekly newsletter is published every Friday. You can sign up for it here.
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