Full Breakdown
Sky's €1.9 billion Antitrust Claim Targets TIM and DAZN
5/7/2026, 9:15:01 PM
Sky's €1.9 billion Antitrust Claim
Pay-TV operator Sky has lodged a lawsuit in a Milan court seeking up to €1.9 billion in damages from Telecom Italia (TIM) and streaming service DAZN. Sky contends that the 2021 TIM-DAZN agreement to distribute Serie A matches breached Italian antitrust rules by deliberately excluding Sky from the market.
Origins of the TIM-DAZN Serie A Deal
In 2021, DAZN purchased exclusive rights to broadcast all Serie A games in Italy for three seasons at a cost of €2.5 billion. The contract granted TIM preferential distribution rights and limited DAZN’s ability to partner with rival telecom operators. Italy’s antitrust authority ruled in 2023 that the arrangement restricted competition, imposing fines of €800,000 on TIM and €7.2 million on DAZN. The decision was upheld by Italy’s top administrative court in 2024, after which DAZN’s fine was reduced to €3.6 million.
Timeline of Legal and Regulatory Actions
- 2021 – TIM and DAZN sign the three-year Serie A distribution pact.
- 2023 – Antitrust authority finds the deal anti-competitive and levies fines.
- 2024 – Administrative court confirms the antitrust ruling; DAZN’s fine halved.
- May 6 2026 – Sky files its claim for €1.1 billion in lost profit, potentially rising to €1.9 billion with interest and brand-damage compensation.
- Late 2026 (expected) – Hearings scheduled for the final quarter of the year.
Financial Claims and Potential Compensation
Sky’s request includes €1.1 billion for lost profit, up to €500 million in interest, and up to €380 million for alleged brand devaluation. TIM has indicated that any award would be shared with DAZN, though the allocation method remains undefined.
Regulatory Findings and Official Responses
The antitrust authority concluded that the TIM-DAZN contract “restricted competition” in Italy’s pay-TV market, prompting the fines. TIM confirmed receipt of Sky’s lawsuit on March 25 and said hearings are expected in the fourth quarter of 2026. Neither Sky nor the regulator offered further comment.
Significance for Competition Policy
The antitrust authority’s conclusion that the TIM-DAZN contract restricted competition underscores the regulator’s role in enforcing competition law. The €800,000 and €7.2 million fines illustrate the monetary penalties that can follow antitrust breaches. Sky’s claim further demonstrates how competitors may seek civil redress for alleged market exclusion.
Criticism of Competitive Effects
Industry observers, citing the antitrust decision, argue that the 2021 TIM-DAZN deal gave TIM an unfair advantage by limiting DAZN’s ability to partner with rival operators, thereby narrowing consumer choice and hindering market entry for competitors such as Sky.
Future Proceedings
The Milan court is set to hold substantive hearings in late 2026. TIM and DAZN must define a joint compensation strategy, while Sky will present expert assessments supporting its loss calculations. The ruling will determine liability levels.
