Lisa Nandy 'Minded to Intervene' in Sky's £1.6bn ITV Deal

UK Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has stated that she is considering issuing a public interest intervention notice (PIIN) to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) and Ofcom, which would force a formal investigation into Sky's agreement to acquire ITV's broadcasting business for 1.6 billion pounds.

The two companies announced the multi-billion-pound deal in July, which includes free-to-air TV channels and the ITVX streaming service. However, the agreement explicitly excludes ITV Studios, the production arm responsible for hit shows like Love Island and I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here, with both firms hoping the merger will help them challenge global streaming giants such as Netflix.

In a formal letter sent to both companies, Nandy outlined reasonable grounds to believe the tie-up could affect media freedom and the variety of Britain's news landscape. Her public interest considerations specifically highlight:

• The need for free expression of opinion in news media
• The need for a range of views in news media across the UK
• The need for a range of people controlling the media across the UK
• The need for a wide range of programmes to be offered across the UK

The letter noted that while Sky News and ITV News hold a joint 26% share of linear TV news viewing, and consumers retain access to alternatives like the BBC and Channel 4, the merger could eventually undermine viewpoint diversity. Together, the BBC and Sky/ITV currently control 86% of the linear television news market.

Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event

The letter further cautioned that the North of England, non-English UK nations, and lower socio-economic demographics could be hardest hit, as broadcast television remains their primary source of news. Both Sky and ITV have been given a deadline of October 20 to respond to the culture secretary's concerns.