MUMBAI: UK pay TV service provider BSkyB has lodged a submission with regulatory watchdog Ofcom expressing concern about YouView TV, a joint venture by seven parties including the BBC that looks to bring Internet content and new video-on-demand to the television in the first half of next year.

BSkyB says that the public IPTV service will affect competition in the UK Internet TV market. Its complaint was submitted as Ofcom’s board met to discuss previous complaints from Virgin Media and IP Vision, which both branded the scheme anti-competitive.
 
BSkyB‘s move could delay Ofcom‘s decision on whether to investigate YouView, formerly known as Project Canvas, following opposition from several parties including Virgin Media, Six TV and United for Local Television. 
 
YouView CEO Richard Halton says, "While we welcome justifiable scrutiny, the timing of this submission is clearly designed to extend the regulatory process in pursuit of commercial self interest rather than the public interest".
YouView is equally owned by the BBC, ITV, BT Group, Channel 4, TalkTalk Telecom, Five and Arqiva.