Communications watchdog Ofcom has opened a formal investigation into the structure of the sale of Premier League broadcasting rights.
It follows a complaint by Virgin Media that football fans are paying too much to watch live matches.
The regulator said it will use the Competition Act to consider whether the structure of rights auctions, which is currently operated on a collective basis by the Premier League, breaches competition law.
It said the relatively low level of games that are broadcast live will also be scrutinised.
