The Herald

Culture Secretary ‘minded’ to refer Sky takeover to watchdog

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CULTURE Secretary Karen Bradley has said she is “minded” to order an Ofcom investigat­ion into the planned £11.7 billion takeover of broadcaste­r Sky over concerns about media plurality and broadcasti­ng standards.

In a statement issued as the broadcaste­rs formally notified the European Commission of the planned merger of the satellite TV giant and Rupert Murdochown­ed 21st Century Fox she stressed that she has not yet taken a final decision.

But she has written to both companies asking them to make written representa­tions by March 8, with the aim of announcing a decision in the week commencing March 13.

“I have today written to the parties to inform them that I am ‘minded to’ issue a European Interventi­on Notice on the basis that I have concerns that there may be public interest considerat­ions – as set out in the Enterprise Act 2002 – that are relevant to this proposed merger that warrant further investigat­ion,” said Ms Bradley. “To be clear, I have not taken a final decision on interventi­on at this stage. In line with the guidance that applies to my quasi-judicial role I am inviting written representa­tions from the parties and will aim to come to a final decision on whether to intervene in the merger within 10 working days of today’s notificati­on.”

A decision to intervene would not block the deal, which envisages Fox paying £10.75 per share for the 61 per cent of Sky it does not already own – valuing the broadcaste­r at £18.5bn.

Instead, it would trigger an Ofcom assessment of public interest considerat­ions as well as a Competitio­n and Markets Authority report on jurisdicti­on.

 ??  ?? KAREN BRADLEY: MP has written to both companies.
KAREN BRADLEY: MP has written to both companies.

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