The Competition Commission has said it is to delay its report into BSkyB’s purchase of a 17.9% stake in ITV by eight weeks. It means the report will not now be published until January 2.
In a statement the commission said there were special reasons as to why the report could not be completed on time. “A large amount of evidence has been received from many parties, which has required a substantial amount of analysis. The Group therefore concluded that the preparation and delivery of the report would not have been possible within the original reference period.”
In May, the government ordered a full inquiry into the holding, which effectively blocked Virgin Media (the former NTL) from making its own bid. BSkyB has publicly stated that its holding was made entirely as an investment and ITV has said the pay-TV operator has remained entirely passive.
