Lisa Nandy says she is minded to refer Sky’s proposed £1.6bn ITV deal for investigation over concerns about media plurality and free expression. Sky and ITV say the tie-up would strengthen British media and help them compete with global streaming rivals.
01Summary
- 01Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said she was "minded to intervene" in Sky’s proposed £1.6bn takeover of ITV’s media and entertainment division.
- 02She said there were reasonable grounds to believe the deal could affect free expression and the variety of Britain’s news landscape.
- 03Sky News and ITV News together have a 26% share of viewers, while the letter said 86% of the news market is controlled by the BBC and Sky/ITV.
- 04Sky and ITV have until 20 October to respond to the culture secretary’s concerns.
- 05The deal, announced in July, covers ITV’s broadcasting business and ITVX but not ITV Studios.
02Why it matters
The decision could shape who controls a large share of UK television news and how much choice viewers have. It may also affect whether the merger is allowed to go ahead and on what terms.
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