News story

News Corporation’s proposed acquisition of BSkyB

Statement from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

Jeremy Hunt made a later statement on this subject following the announcement that News Corporation have withdrawn their undertakings in lieu on 11 July 2011.

The consultation on undertakings in lieu offered by News Corporation in relation to their proposed merger with BSkyB closes at midday today. The Secretary of State has always been clear that he will take as long as is needed to reach a decision.

The Secretary of State will consider carefully all the responses submitted and take advice from Ofcom and the Office of Fair Trading before reaching his decision. Given the volume of responses, we anticipate that this will take some time. He will consider all relevant factors including whether the announcement regarding the News of the World’s closure has any impact on the question of media plurality.

Published 11 July 2011