Lisa Nandy Signals Intervention in Sky's £1.6bn ITV Media Takeover
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy expressed to Sky and ITV her inclination to step in regarding Sky's proposed £1.6 billion takeover of ITV's media division, raising issues about free expression and the diversity of news. In a letter dated 15 October 2026, she is contemplating issuing a public interest intervention notice (PIIN) to the CMA and Ofcom. The acquisition, revealed in July, encompasses ITV's television channels and the ITV X streaming service but does not include ITV Studios. Nandy pointed out four public interest factors and mentioned that Sky News and ITV News account for 26% of linear TV news viewership. Sky and ITV must provide their responses by 20 October. Nandy intends to propose legislation to broaden public interest considerations to on-demand content.
Key facts
- Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy is "minded to intervene" in Sky's £1.6bn purchase of ITV's media and entertainment division.
- Nandy is considering a public interest intervention notice (PIIN) to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) and Ofcom.
- The deal, announced in July, includes ITV's free-to-air TV channels and ITV X streaming service, but not ITV Studios.
- Public interest concerns include free expression in news media, a range of views, a range of media controllers, and a wide range of programmes.
- Sky News and ITV News have a joint 26% share of linear TV news viewing; the BBC and Sky/ITV control 86% of that market.
- The North of England, nations other than England, and lower socio-economic groups could be particularly affected.
- Sky and ITV have until 20 October to respond to the culture secretary's concerns.
- Nandy's intervention would require new legislation because current laws do not cover mergers' effects on streaming or on-demand programmes.
Entities
Artists
- Lisa Nandy
Institutions
- Sky
- ITV
- ITV Studios
- ITV X
- Sky News
- ITV News
- Competition and Markets Authority
- Ofcom
- BBC
- Channel 4
- Netflix
- Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport
Locations
- United Kingdom
- England
- North of England