Government intervenes in Sky’s £1.6bn ITV takeover

Culture secretary Lisa Nandy has intervened in Sky’s proposed £1.6bn purchase of ITV’s broadcasting business, asking regulators to assess its effects on competition and the range of views in British news. The decision matters because the deal could bring major television and streaming services under common ownership, raising questions about media plurality and editorial independence.

The Competition and Markets Authority and Ofcom must report by 27 January, after which Nandy will decide whether to order a fuller investigation. The acquisition covers ITV’s channels and streaming service ITVX but excludes ITV Studios; Sky and ITV say the combined business could compete more effectively with global platforms and save about £200m a year. Nandy also plans to extend media merger rules to cover streaming services.