Politics · United Kingdom · 2 hrs ago
UK culture secretary considers scrutiny of Sky’s £1.6bn ITV deal
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy may intervene in Sky’s planned £1.6bn purchase of ITV’s media and entertainment business in the UK.
The deal covers ITV’s free-to-air channels and ITVX, but does not include ITV Studios, its production arm.
Nandy says the merger could affect free expression and the range of views in news, as well as the variety of programmes available to viewers.
She is also considering whether new legislation is needed to apply public-interest rules to on-demand services.
Sky and ITV can make representations by 20 October after Nandy wrote to them about further scrutiny.
If she issues an intervention notice, the competition watchdog and media regulator would assess the deal, and the watchdog could then begin a more detailed investigation.
UK Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said she is considering intervening in Sky’s proposed £1.6 billion deal involving ITV.
She cited concerns about free expression and plurality of views in news media, as well as who controls media companies.
Nandy is also considering legislation to extend a public-interest test to on-demand programmes.
She has not made a final decision, and Sky and ITV have an opportunity to respond.
If she proceeds, regulators would assess the deal and its potential effects on the public interest and competition.
- Who
- UK Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, and the companies Sky and ITV.
- What
- Nandy is considering intervening in Sky’s proposed £1.6 billion deal involving ITV.
- When
- Nandy announced her position on October 15, 2026. Sky and ITV have until October 20 to make representations.
- Where
- The United Kingdom.
- Why
- Nandy cited potential effects on media plurality, free expression and the range of programming available on demand.
Lisa Nandy
Sir Peter Bazalgette
Media deal
Lisa Nandy
Nandy is considering intervention over concerns about news-media plurality and the availability of varied programming.
Sir Peter Bazalgette
Bazalgette said broadcasters face pressure from streaming services and online platforms, and argued that consolidation may be the only way for public service broadcasters to survive.
Sky struck a deal with ITV, according to Variety; Deadline says the merger was announced late last year.
Nandy said she was considering intervention and wrote to Sky and ITV about further scrutiny.
Deadline for Sky and ITV to make representations, according to Variety.
- Deal value
- £1.6 billion
- Companies
- Sky and ITV
- Decision-maker
- Lisa Nandy, UK culture secretary
- Response deadline
- October 20, 2026
- Potential legislation
- Amend section 58 to extend a public-interest consideration to on-demand programmes
6 sources
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Culture Secretary may intervene following £1.6 billion Sky and ITV deal
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Culture secretary Lisa Nandy says she is 'minded to intervene' in Sky's proposed £1.6bn takeover of ITV
Sky-ITV: UK Culture Secretary “Minded To Intervene” Over $2.1B Merger
What people are saying
Having considered the anticipated merger, I am of the view that there are reasonable grounds to believe that it might affect availability of a wide range of high-quality and varied programming on the on-demand platforms that are now widely used by UK audiences.
was drafted at a time where viewing was largely via broadcast linear channels
Domestic broadcasters across Europe are under considerable pressure from not just the streamers, but also from YouTube,