Sky Sues Telecom Italia and DAZN Over Serie A Broadcasting Rights

May 6, 2026, 14:18
EuropeFinance

Introduction

Sky has started a legal process in a Milan court to claim damages from Telecom Italia (TIM) and DAZN after regulators decided that the two companies acted against competition laws.

Main Body

The lawsuit is based on a 2021 agreement between TIM and DAZN regarding the distribution of Serie A soccer matches from 2021 to 2024. This deal happened after DAZN paid 2.5 billion euros for the broadcasting rights. However, the Italian antitrust authority later ruled that the partnership limited market competition. Specifically, the authority emphasized that certain clauses gave TIM special advantages and stopped DAZN from working with other telecom providers. This decision was confirmed by the highest administrative court, although the fines were set at 3.6 million euros for DAZN and 800,000 euros for TIM. Regarding the money, Sky asserts that the partnership was designed to push them out of the market. Consequently, Sky is demanding up to 1.9 billion euros. This total includes 1.1 billion euros for lost profits, 500 million euros in interest, and about 380 million euros for the loss of brand value. TIM argued that these numbers come from private experts hired by Sky. Furthermore, TIM stated that any final payment would be shared between itself and DAZN. The main court hearings are expected to take place in the last three months of this year.

Conclusion

Sky is now seeking nearly 1.9 billion euros in compensation after TIM and DAZN were found to have broken antitrust rules.

Learning

🚀 The 'Connector' Leap: From Simple to Sophisticated

An A2 student says: "The partnership limited competition. Sky is demanding money."

A B2 student says: "The partnership limited competition; consequently, Sky is demanding money."

To move to B2, you must stop using "and", "but", and "so" for everything. You need Logical Connectors. These are words that act like bridges, showing the reader how two ideas are linked.

🛠️ The Toolset from the Text

In this article, we see three powerful connectors that change the "vibe" of the writing from a basic story to a professional report:

  1. Consequently →\rightarrow (The Result Bridge)

    • What it does: It replaces "so". It signals a direct result of a previous action.
    • Example: "The authority ruled the deal was illegal. Consequently, Sky sued for damages."

  2. Specifically →\rightarrow (The Zoom-In Bridge)

    • What it does: It tells the reader, "I am now giving you the exact details."
    • Example: "The rules were broken. Specifically, TIM had special advantages."

  3. Furthermore →\rightarrow (The Addition Bridge)

    • What it does: It replaces "also" or "and". Use it when you want to add a stronger or extra point to your argument.
    • Example: "The costs are too high. Furthermore, the calculations are wrong."

💡 Pro-Tip for Fluency

Don't just put these words at the start of a sentence. Follow them with a comma ( , ).

Pattern: [Connector] + [Comma] + [Full Idea]

Wrong: "Furthermore TIM stated..." Right: "Furthermore, TIM stated..."

By mastering these three words, you stop sounding like a beginner and start sounding like a professional.

Vocabulary Learning

claim (v.)
to demand or request something, especially a right or a sum of money
Example:Sky claimed damages from Telecom Italia.
damages (n.)
money awarded to compensate for loss or injury
Example:The court awarded €3.6 million in damages to DAZN.
regulators (n.)
government bodies that oversee and enforce rules in a specific sector
Example:Regulators decided that the companies acted against competition laws.
competition (n.)
the rivalry between companies to attract customers and increase profits
Example:The partnership limited market competition.
laws (n.)
rules made by authorities that people must follow
Example:Acting against competition laws can lead to fines.
agreement (n.)
a formal arrangement where parties agree to certain terms
Example:The 2021 agreement covered the distribution of Serie A matches.
distribution (n.)
the act of giving or sharing something to others
Example:The agreement governed the distribution of broadcasting rights.
broadcasting (n.)
the transmission of television or radio programs to viewers or listeners
Example:DAZN paid for the broadcasting rights to Serie A games.
rights (n.)
legal entitlements or permissions to do something
Example:The contract gave DAZN the rights to show the matches.
authority (n.)
the power or right to make decisions and enforce rules
Example:The Italian antitrust authority ruled on the partnership.
partnership (n.)
a business relationship where two or more parties work together
Example:The partnership was designed to limit competition.
market (n.)
the area or environment where goods and services are bought and sold
Example:The case concerns competition within the telecom market.
advantages (n.)
benefits or favorable conditions that help someone succeed
Example:Certain clauses gave TIM special advantages.
providers (n.)
companies that supply services or products to customers
Example:DAZN was prevented from working with other telecom providers.
court (n.)
a place where legal disputes are heard and decided
Example:The lawsuit will be heard in a Milan court.