Competition officials outline probe into takeover bid for Sky

The competition watchdog has set out the scope of its wide-ranging investigation into Rupert Murdoch’s £11.7 billion takeover bid for Sky.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) yesterday outlined the main issues for its probe into how the deal would impact media plurality and broadcasting standards in the UK and is inviting submissions for its six-month investigation.

Among the areas the CMA will look at are how and if the Murdoch family’s ability to control or influence editorial and commercial decisions at Sky News will change following 21st Century Fox’s bid to buy the remaining 61 per cent of Sky it does not already own.

It will also look at the Murdoch family’s ability to “influence the political agenda” and how that could change after the deal, alongside more general scrutiny of how it could affect the number and variety of media in the UK, including the “range of viewpoints”.

Fox and Sky’s broadcasting standards will also come under the microscope, with the CMA confirming it will look at whether the merged group would have a “genuine commitment” to this – including consideration of their track record.

Karen Bradley – Secretary of State for Digital, Culture Media and Sport – referred Fox’s proposed takeover of Sky to the CMA for a full inquiry earlier this year after a three-month investigation by Ofcom. 0 Rupert Murdoch’s Fox is looking to buy the rest of Sky