Photo: Nikola Smolenski / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
Britain’s government just put Sky’s planned takeover of ITV under a microscope, ordering regulators to examine whether the deal is good for the country’s media – not just its shareholders.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy issued a public-interest intervention notice Wednesday over Sky UK Limited’s proposed acquisition of ITV M&E Holdings Limited, according to the notice published on GOV.UK. The step opens formal public-interest scrutiny of the deal; it does not block it.
Under the notice, the Competition and Markets Authority will investigate the merger’s effect on competition and Ofcom will examine media plurality, with both required to report by 5 p.m. on January 27, 2027, according to the CMA’s case page. The public-interest grounds cited include free expression of opinion in news media, a sufficient plurality of views and of owners controlling media outlets, and the availability across the UK of a wide range of high-quality broadcasting and on-demand programming.
The notice, issued under section 42 of the Enterprise Act 2002, says the takeover would create a relevant merger situation because the two businesses would cease to be distinct and ITV’s UK turnover exceeds the £100 million threshold. The government notice does not state a deal value.
For viewers and advertisers, the review adds a regulatory test the tie-up must pass before it can close: regulators have to be satisfied the combined broadcaster would not shrink the range of news voices or programming choices on British screens.
JBizNews Desk | London
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