Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has warned that the government is minded to intervene in Sky's proposed acquisition of ITV's broadcasting and streaming business for up to £1.6 billion, citing concerns about the diversity of news provision, media ownership and the availability of programming for British audiences.
In a statement on 15 October 2026, Nandy said her department had written to the companies' legal representatives to set out potential public interest grounds for intervention under the Enterprise Act 2002. Sky and ITV have until 9am on 20 October to make written representations before a final decision on intervention is taken.
What concerns has the government raised?
Nandy identified the need to protect freedom of expression in news media, maintain a sufficient plurality of news viewpoints and ensure a diversity of ownership among media businesses serving UK audiences. The proposed deal would bring ITV's television channels and ITVX streaming service under the same corporate group as Sky, which operates Sky News.
The Culture Secretary also raised a possible additional public interest consideration: whether the combination would affect the availability of a broad range of high-quality broadcasting and on-demand programming appealing to different audiences. She said she would bring forward legislation to extend the relevant statutory consideration to on-demand services if she decided to intervene on that basis.
What is included in the £1.6 billion transaction?
Sky announced in July that it had agreed terms to acquire ITV Media and Entertainment Holdings, including ITV's free-to-air channels and the ITVX platform. The proposed transaction does not include ITV Studios, the production business, which would remain separate.
Both companies say the combination would help a British broadcaster compete with global streaming services. Sky has pledged to protect ITV's identity and free-to-air services, preserve public service broadcasting commitments and keep ITV News and Sky News as distinct editorial voices. ITV says it will cooperate with the regulatory process.
What happens next?
No intervention notice has yet been issued, and the takeover has not been blocked. Nandy said that, if she issues a public interest intervention notice, Ofcom would assess the public interest issues while the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) would report on the merger situation and potential competition effects. The Culture Secretary would then consider whether a more detailed CMA investigation was warranted.
The CMA has already opened an initial case concerning the proposed merger and invited public comments in July. That preliminary process should not be confused with a completed assessment or a final ministerial decision.