High Peak Liberal Democrats

Commenting on the Communications minister's speech in which he said satellite platforms should end the fees they charge public service broadcasters (PSBs) for carrying their channels, Co-Chair of the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Party Committee on Culture, Media and Sport, John Leech said:

"Public service broadcasters like the BBC offer great value to satellite platforms like Sky and their viewers, yet they have to pay to be shown on satellite TV.

"It is clearly unfair that the public service broadcasters have to pay millions of pounds of licence fee money to satellite platforms while they get carried on cable TV for free.

"That money should not go into the pockets of Rupert Murdoch and others, but should be invested in producing world-class television and nurturing new talent.

"It is right that the Coalition Government is ready to act to end this unfair practice, after repeated Liberal Democrats calls for action. I will be watching the industry closely and ensure Liberal Democrats hard-wire this fairness into regulation if they do not act themselves."