I was in the Chamber on 23rd January to hear the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, Matt Hancock, give an update on the Sky/Fox merger. His statement followed the Competition and Market Authority’s (CMA) publication of its provisional findings from the investigation into the proposed merger between the two organisations on the grounds of media plurality and commitment to broadcasting standards.
The CMA has provisionally found that the merger is not against the public interest because of a lack of commitment to meeting broadcasting standards but may be against the public interest on the grounds of media plurality. The CMA has launched a three week consultation for interested parties to respond to the provisional findings, which will close on Tuesday 13th February 2018.
The CMA has suggested three potential options which could remedy their concerns and has launched a two week consultation to gather views from interested parties on these suggested remedies. The consultation will run for two weeks, closing on Tuesday 6th February.
Further details on both of these consultations and how to submit a response are available here and as I know this is an issue of great concern to many of my constituents, I would urge all who are interested to take part.
All consultation submissions will be considered by the CMA before its report is finalised and given to the Secretary of State to consider. Following receipt of the report the Secretary of State has 30 days to reach a final decision on the proposed deal.