UK asks regulator to probe standards doubts over Fox-Sky bid
LONDON — The British government confirmed Thursday it is asking the country’s competition regulator to investigate Twenty-First Century Fox Inc.’s bid for satellite broadcaster Sky because of concerns about broadcasting standards.
Culture Secretary Karen Bradley announced her decision two days after she told lawmakers she was “minded” to make the referral to the Competition and Markets Authority.
Bradley said that since then Sky and Fox had indicated they disagreed with the decision but “would not be making substantive representations” against it.
Bradley has previously said she will also ask the regulator to examine whether the deal would concentrate too much power in the hands of Rupert Murdoch’s media empire.