Updated - Adds statement by GO -
The Competion and Consumer Affairs Authority has completed an investigation into the removal of the Comedy Channel and Living TV from the TV line-ups of Melita and Go and ordered them to amend their terms and conditions, giving clients the possibility of opting out of contracts offered to clients.
"Both TV service providers are expected to inform their respective clients of these changes. Consumers who avail themselves of the opt-out clause can ask for a refund should they qualify for it" the authority said.
The investigation was launched in February at the request of Parliamentary Secretary Chris Said.
The Authority told the two companies that the changes to their terms and conditions must include a clear reference to changes in the channel line-up in any package exceeding 15% (a minimum of five channels) during each calendar year.
The changes must entitle consumers to be notified by their service providers about changes to programme line-ups by means of a 30-day notice, during which consumers may opt out of their contract without penalty or other expense.
The amendments to the contracts start with immediate effect.
GO STATEMENT
GO Plc in a statement said it welcomed the decision announced by the Authority.
"In our view this is a constructive way forward to ensure that customers’ rights are respected while understanding the complexity of the provision of content to operators and the EU norms," it said.
It added that following various discussions since February, it had willingly accepted to revise the terms and conditions so that in the future if it changed more than 15 per cent of the channel line-up (subject to a minimum of five channels) within a 12-month period, customers would be given 30-days notice during which to decide whether to retain the service or not.
"GO is implementing these changes to the Terms and Conditions with immediate effect for all our customers – new and existing.
"GO has continuously reviewed its terms and conditions to ensure that they are still relevant and comprehensive, and that consumers’ rights are fully safeguarded. For example in our recent Sports offer, we have stated that customers have the ability to exit the offer if GO no longer can secure the rights for future seasons of the EPL and Serie A" it added.