U.K. Government Intervenes in $2.15 Billion Sky-ITV Deal
By Edith Hancock
The U.K. government has intervened in Comcast-owned Sky's plan to buy ITV's media and entertainment business, directing the country's competition regulators to review the deal in a preliminary step that could trigger an in-depth probe.
Sky agreed in July to buy the ITV unit in a 1.6 billion pound deal, equivalent to $2.15 billion. The transaction would see ITV Studios separated and listed in London.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy's decision to issue a public interest intervention notice requires the U.K.'s Competition and Markets Authority and media watchdog Ofcom to complete a preliminary investigation of the deal by Jan. 27.
Nandy could then refer the deal for an in-depth competition investigation, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport said in a statement Wednesday.
"We believe the transaction is in the public interest, with clear commitments already made to protect ITV's identity, public service broadcasting obligations and the distinct editorial voices of Sky News and ITV News," a Sky spokesperson said.
Write to Edith Hancock at edith.hancock@wsj.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
November 04, 2026 09:03 ET (14:03 GMT)
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