Sky to face Competition Commission probe

Sky's acquisition of a 17.9% stake in ITV has been referred to the Competition Commission by the Department of Trade and Industry.

In accordance with the Enterprise Act, the Competition Commission will now "conduct a detailed investigation into the effects of the transaction both on competition and on the specified public interest consideration relating to the plurality of persons with control of media enterprises."

The Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, Alistair Darling, said: "My decision reflects consideration of the reports I have received from both the Office of Fair Trading and Ofcom and of other representations I have received about this matter. On the basis of the evidence before me, a fuller investigation by the Competition Commission is justified."

Both Ofcom and the Office of Fair Trading have previously raised concerns over the transaction. Ofcom said the acquisition raised public interest issues, and the OFT said that ITV is "no longer independent".