Nandy considers intervention in Sky’s £1.6bn ITV deal

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy is considering referring Sky’s proposed £1.6bn purchase of ITV’s media and entertainment business to the competition watchdog, saying the deal could affect media freedom and the range of news available in Britain. [1]

Nandy has told Sky and ITV she is “minded to intervene” by issuing a public interest intervention notice. Such a notice would require the watchdog to investigate the deal. [1]

Sky said it would carefully consider Nandy’s letter and engage with the review. The company said it remained confident the deal would create a stronger British media, and said it had made commitments to protect ITV’s identity, its free-to-air services and public-service broadcasting obligations. [1]

Sky also said ITV News and Sky News would remain distinct editorial voices. [1]

The companies announced in July that Sky had agreed to buy ITV’s broadcasting business, including its free-to-air channels and streaming service ITVX. ITV Studios, the production arm behind programmes including *Love Island* and *I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here*, is not part of the deal. [1]