ITV stock faces regulatory review of Sky's GBP 1.6 billion deal

Published on 11/05/2026 at 13:48 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS

ITV stock faces a formal UK review of Sky's planned takeover of its media arm. Regulators must report on media plurality and free speech by January 27.

Regulatory review sets next steps

UK regulators will examine Sky's proposed acquisition of ITV's media and entertainment arm.
The CMA and Ofcom must report on media plurality and free speech by January 27, 2027.
ITV Studios remains outside the proposed transaction, while ITV's channels and ITVX are included.

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Britain has opened a formal regulatory review of Sky's proposed acquisition of ITV's media and entertainment arm. Sky News reported on Wednesday, November 4, that Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy issued a Public Interest Intervention Notice, allowing the Competition and Markets Authority and Ofcom to examine the transaction.

Regulators set January deadline

The CMA and Ofcom must report to Nandy by January 27, 2027, on the deal's impact on media plurality and free speech in the United Kingdom. The culture secretary may then refer the transaction to the CMA for a more detailed investigation. The notice begins regulatory scrutiny; it does not block the acquisition.

Nandy also plans to introduce legislation extending the public-interest assessment to on-demand programming. The change would bring streaming services into a framework that currently focuses on broadcasting and reflects the shift in viewing habits toward digital platforms.

ITV keeps production arm separate

Sky agreed in July to buy ITV's media and entertainment division in a deal valued at GBP 1.6 billion. The proposed transaction includes ITV's terrestrial television channels and ITVX, while ITV Studios, the production business, remains outside the sale.

Sky said the combination would create a stronger British media company and pledged to protect ITV's identity, public-service broadcasting obligations and the distinct editorial voices of Sky News and ITV News. ITV called the intervention a major milestone and said it would cooperate with the regulators, according to Sky News.