# Sky’s ITV Acquisition Hits Roadblock as Culture Secretary Issues Public Interest Intervention Notice

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/skys-itv-acquisition-hits-roadblock-as-culture-secretary-issues-public-interest-intervention-notice/
- Published: 2026-11-04T13:07:20+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-05T11:08:41+00:00
- Original publisher: Variety
- Original article: https://variety.com/2026/tv/global/skys-itv-culture-secretary-public-interest-notice-1236939191/
- Topics: Business, Companies, UK, World

## Key points

- Nandy has ordered public interest scrutiny of Sky’s proposed ITV deal.
- The $2.1 billion deal covers ITV and ITVX, not ITV Studios.
- Regulators must report by 27 January; Sky says news identities will be protected.

## Summary

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has referred Sky’s proposed acquisition of ITV Media & Entertainment for public interest review. The move means Ofcom and the Competition and Markets Authority will examine the deal, which could face a more detailed investigation, amid questions about competition and the future of news provision.

Sky, owned by Comcast, announced the $2.1 billion deal earlier this year; it covers ITV’s broadcaster and streaming service ITVX, while ITV Studios would be spun off. Sky and ITV account for about 70% of UK television advertising, though former ITV chair Peter Bazalgette has said their share falls to 20–30% when digital platforms are included. Ofcom and the CMA must report by 27 January, after which Nandy will decide whether to order a fuller CMA investigation. Sky says the deal would strengthen British media and that it will protect ITV’s identity and the distinct editorial voices of Sky News and ITV News.

---
Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.