Sky-ITV: UK Culture Secretary "Wants to Intervene" in $2.1 Billion+ Merger

UK Culture Secretary "Is Set to Intervene" in the £1.6 Billion Sky-ITV Deal. Lisa Nandy is intervening on "public interest" grounds, citing the "need for free expression of opinion in news media," the "need for sufficient plurality of viewpoints in news media in every market," and the "need for availability across […]

UK culture secretary 'set to intervene in £1.6bn Sky-ITV deal'.

Lisa Nandy is intervening on "public interest considerations" as she refers to "the need for free expression of opinion in the news media", "the need for sufficient diversity of views in the news media in each market" and "the need for a wide range of broadcast, on-demand or both programs to be available across the UK".

Notably, Nandy is also considering legislation that would update Act II to include streaming. He said the rule was "drafted at a time when viewing was mostly through linear channels."

"Consequently, if I decide to intervene based on these new public interest considerations, I will introduce legislation that would amend section 58 of the Act to extend the application of public interest considerations related to the availability of a broad spectrum of broadcasting to on-demand programming," he wrote today.

The merger shocked the broadcasting world when it was announced late last year and brings together the UK's pay-TV giant and the oldest commercial broadcaster.

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