UK General Election delays 21st Century Fox’s Sky takeover decision

The news, delivered by UK Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Karen Bradley, comes only weeks after the European Commission approved unconditionally the proposed acquisition of Sky by 21st Century Fox.

Commenting on the announcement, UK broadcast regulator Ofcom reiterated its position by confirming that the issues related to the deal that it was required to consider in the public interest assessment could overlap with its own consideration of Sky’s fitness to hold broadcasting licences. It added that given this overlap, it was extending the consideration of its fit and proper assessment, and expected to reach conclusions on 20 June.

In its investigation of the proposed deal, the EC concluded the transaction would raise no competition concerns in Europe. It found that the proposed transaction would lead to only a limited increase in Sky's existing share of the markets for the acquisition of TV content as well as in the market for the wholesale supply of TV channels in the relevant member states.