The Secretary State for Culture has confirmed she will launch a probe into the £11.7 billion Twenty-First Century Fox takeover of Sky.
Karen Bradley told the Commons she has issued a European intervention notice on the grounds of ‘media plurality’. Media regulator Ofcom and the Competition and Markets Authority will examine the bid.
Bradley has resisted opposition demands to run a fit and proper persons test under the Enterprise Act. Instead this will be run by the media regulator Ofcom, which will also look at plurality and broadcasting standards.
Twenty-First Century Fox argues that changes in the multimedia landscape mean the Murdoch Family Trust no longer has the influence it once did over British media.
The Murdoch Family Trust would increase its holding in Sky to around 39% from the present 15%.
Murdoch’s News Corp also holds interests in The Times, The Sun and the TalkSport group of radio stations.
