Politics · United Kingdom · 58 mins ago
UK Culture Secretary Intervenes in Sky’s Planned ITV Acquisition
UK culture secretary Lisa Nandy has intervened in Sky’s planned acquisition of ITV.
The deal involves Sky UK and ITV Media & Entertainment Holdings in the United Kingdom.
Nandy said her department invited both companies to make representations before she decided to issue the notice.
The notice was issued under the Enterprise Act 2002 and is described as a public interest intervention.
The intervention creates a roadblock for the proposed deal, though no further details about its effect are given.
The companies had been asked to submit their views before Nandy made her decision.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has issued a public interest intervention notice for Sky’s planned takeover of ITV’s media and entertainment arm.
The notice asks Ofcom and the Competition and Markets Authority to investigate the deal’s public interest and competition implications.
Nandy cited concerns about the availability and range of broadcasting and on-demand programmes across the UK.
The deal, agreed in July, is valued at £1.6 billion by the Independent and Hollywood Reporter, which also gives a value of $2.1 billion.
ITV Studios would remain a separate company under the proposed deal.
- Who
- Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, Sky and ITV are central to the story. Ofcom and the Competition and Markets Authority will review the deal.
- What
- Nandy issued a public interest intervention notice for Sky’s planned acquisition of ITV’s media and entertainment arm.
- When
- November 4, 2026. The companies were told on October 15 that Nandy was minded to intervene.
- Where
- The United Kingdom.
- Why
- Nandy cited public interest concerns, including the range of broadcasting and on-demand programmes available in the UK. Regulators will also assess competition and media public interest issues.
Sky and ITV
Critics of the deal
Deal’s merits
Sky and ITV
Sky CEO Dana Strong called it “a defining moment for British media.” ITV CEO Carolyn McCall said it would create a UK champion better able to compete with global streaming platforms.
Critics of the deal
Critics have raised concerns about the merged company’s market power.
ITV agreed to sell its media and entertainment arm to Sky for £1.6 billion.
Nandy’s department told Sky and ITV she was minded to intervene and invited them to submit representations.
Nandy issued a Public Interest Intervention Notice and asked Ofcom and the CMA to investigate the deal.
Ofcom and the CMA are due to report to Nandy on public interest and competition considerations.
- Deal value
- £1.6 billion, according to the Independent; $2.1 billion, according to the Hollywood Reporter
- Target assets
- ITV’s media and entertainment arm, including its terrestrial TV channels and streaming service ITVX
- Separate business
- ITV Studios would continue operating as a separate company
- Regulators
- Ofcom and the Competition and Markets Authority
- Reporting deadline
- January 27, 2027
5 sources
Culture Secretary formally intervenes in Sky’s £1.6bn ITV deal
Culture Secretary to intervene in £1.6bn Sky and ITV deal
Culture secretary Lisa Nandy intervenes in Sky's takeover of ITV in a move that could see the deal blocked
Sky’s $2.1 Billion ITV Megadeal: U.K. Regulators Get Gov’t Green Light for Investigation
Sky’s ITV Acquisition Hits Roadblock as Culture Secretary Issues Public Interest Intervention Notice
What people are saying
The legislation already specifies a public interest consideration on the need for the availability, throughout the UK, of a wide range of broadcasting which is both of high quality and calculated to appeal to a wide variety of tastes and interests.
Having fully considered their representations, I have decided to issue a Public Interest Intervention Notice
a defining moment for British media
a U.K. champion with the scale and resources to better compete with global streaming platforms