The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is seeking the views of interested parties on the expected acquisition of ITV by Sky.
Following the recent announcement by Comcast-owned Sky UK that it intended to acquire ITV M&E Holdings Ltd in a £1.6 billion deal due to close later this year, the CMA has issued an “invitation to comment” asking interested parties to submit “any initial views on the impact that the transaction could have on competition in the UK.”
The invitation forms the first part of the CMA’s information-gathering process ahead of its formal investigation into the deal.
Following completion, ITV’s channels and ITVX will remain free-to-air.
In its announcement about the deal, Sky’s CEO Dana Strong said the deal would “combine the very best of free-to-air television, pay-TV and streaming, ensuring viewers across the UK continue to enjoy outstanding British programming in a rapidly changing world.”
Written representations should be made to the CMA before the deadline of August 6th.
