Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy considers intervention in Sky’s £1.6 billion takeover of ITV
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has stated that she is “minded to intervene” in Sky’s proposed £1.6 billion takeover of ITV’s media and entertainment division, reports BritPanorama.
The acquisition, which was agreed upon in July after extensive negotiations, encompasses ITV’s terrestrial television channels alongside its streaming service, ITVX, effectively merging them with Sky.
This strategic move aims to establish a new entity capable of competing with global streaming giants.
Nandy expressed concerns regarding the deal’s potential impact on free expression in news media and the need for diverse viewpoints within the sector. She indicated that the assessment may extend to maintaining a sufficient number of independent operators in the industry.
Additionally, she mentioned considering intervention on the grounds of a new public interest criterion that aims to ensure a broad selection of broadcasting content, particularly for on-demand services appealing to diverse audiences.
Nandy noted that such a move would necessitate new legislation, suggesting, “Having considered the anticipated merger, I am of the view that there are reasonable grounds to believe that it might affect the availability of a wide range of high-quality and varied programming on the on-demand platforms that are now widely used by UK audiences.”
She added, “Consequently, if I decide to intervene on the basis of this new public interest consideration, I will bring forward legislation which amends section 58 of the Act to extend the application of the public interest consideration relating to the availability of a wide range of broadcasting to on-demand programmes.”
The outcome of this review remains critical, as it could reshape the landscape of UK media and broadcasting in significant ways.
