Nandy ‘minded to intervene’ in Sky’s proposed £1.6bn takeover of ITV
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy says she is minded to intervene in Sky’s proposed £1.6 billion takeover of ITV’s media and entertainment division, citing possible effects on news media and programme choice. The deal, agreed in July, would combine ITV’s television channels and ITVX with Sky in a bid to challenge global streaming services.
Nandy is considering whether the merger could affect free expression and the plurality of views in news, as well as the number of people controlling the sector. She is also weighing a new public interest test covering the range of broadcasting available on on-demand platforms; applying it would require legislation to amend the Communications Act.
- Nandy is considering intervening in Sky’s £1.6bn ITV deal.
- Concerns include news plurality and on-demand programme choice.
- A new public interest test would require legislation.
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ITV is a British broadcaster best known for its free-to-watch television channels and the ITVX streaming service. Sky is a large television and broadband company that also provides news and entertainment programmes.
The proposed deal concerns ITV’s television and streaming business, rather than all of ITV’s activities. Combining it with Sky would bring more broadcasting and programme choices under one owner, raising questions about how much influence each company has over what viewers see.
The culture secretary can examine media deals that may affect the range of views in news or the number of independent owners. The government is also considering whether rules should take account of the range of programmes available on streaming services as well as traditional television.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Intervention could protect a diverse news landscape and ensure that a major shift in media ownership does not narrow the range of views or programmes people can access. Supporters may also argue that scrutiny is prudent when a deal could concentrate control over influential broadcasters and on-demand services, particularly if existing rules do not adequately cover streaming.
The case against
The takeover could give ITV and Sky greater scale to compete with global streaming platforms, potentially supporting investment and a wider choice of programmes. Opponents of intervention may argue that existing media rules can address specific public-interest concerns, while adding a new test or delaying the deal could create uncertainty and make it harder for UK broadcasters to compete.