Lisa Nandy is 'minded to intervene' in Sky's £1.6bn takeover of ITV over media plurality fears

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy told MPs on Thursday she has serious concerns about Sky's proposed £1.6bn buyout of ITV's terrestrial channels and streaming service ITVX, warning the deal could harm free expression and reduce the plurality of news providers across Britain. Sky and ITV agreed the deal in July, pitching it as a rival to Netflix and Disney Plus. Nandy said ITV and Sky have until 20 October to respond before she reaches a final decision.

The Comcast-owned Sky deal would also absorb ITVX, with ITV Studios carved off as a separate listed company.

Nandy warned the current Enterprise Act was drafted before streaming existed and says she may bring forward legislation to extend public interest rules to on-demand platforms.

Nandy previously signalled she was 'minded to intervene' in Skydance's takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery — but ultimately let that deal pass.