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Comcast outbids Fox in battle for Sky

New Comcast bid values broadcaster at over £30 billion

Comcast has won the auction for Sky, offering £17.28 per Sky ordinary share versus Fox’s £15.67. 

The two companies took part in three rounds of an auction which was overseen by the UK Takeover Panel throughout Saturday.

Both offers will now be put to shareholders, who have until 11th October to vote on them.

Should Sky shareholders accept Comcast’s bid, it would end almost three decades of control of Sky by the Murdoch family.

Speaking about the auction process, analyst Paolo Pescatore said a knockout bid was the only way to settle the battle which has raged through most of the summer.

“This is unsurprising given the value that Sky will bring to the company in the future,” he added. 

“There are significant growth opportunities in Europe. The combined entity will be a considerable force. Expect to see other American (including the losing party) and Asian providers to make similar moves for other European content and media assets.”

“Sky and its customers will now benefit from being part of the wider group; access to more services, products and features. And financial security to some extent to bid for key costly premium content rights; in particular sports which is arguably the company’s prized asset with the Premier League,” said Pescatore.