Satellite television and the single European market: a study of policy failure and lost business opportunities

This paper is concerned with the destruction of European Union policies which would have resulted in the development of a Single European Market in satellite television, and the lost opportunities for European business and consumers resulting from this. The focus of the paper is on the technical sector involving the transmission of satellite television programmes directly to the viewer’s home (DTH) and is concerned with the broad sweep of lost business opportunities and consumer benefits; there is no attempt to quantify any such losses. The term “consumer” is used in the paper in the loosest welfare / opportunity cost sense of one who gains access to desired goods and services including the simple act of sitting in front a television and watching a programme. “Businesses” are considered to be profit orientated organisations which may function within or outside the law. Whilst the main thrust of this paper is upon the British environment and consumers, the findings also have significant implications for businesses and consumers outside of the UK.