The Takeover Panel has separately told Disney, Fox and Sky that Disney will be required to make a mandatory offer for Sky once Fox has completed its own bid for the broadcaster.
In a statement the panel said that its Executive considered that securing control of Sky “might reasonably be considered to be a significant purpose of Disney’s acquiring control of Fox”.
The Executive has ruled that the Offer must be at £10.75 in cash for each ordinary share in Sky. Under the ruling The Offer will be required to be made by Disney within 28 days of the completion of Acquisition, subject to Fox acquiring 100% of the ordinary shares in Sky or Comcast – which has also expressed an interest – or another third part acquiring more than 50% of the ordinary shares in Sky.