BSkyB’s ITV share to be investigated

THE British media regulator is considering whether BSkyB’s newly secured stake in ITV would hit the broadcaster’s requirements as a public service provider.

The Office of Communications (Ofcom) will look at whether BSkyB’s 17.9% shareholding amounts to a change of control at ITV, which could spark an Office of Fair Trading (OFT) probe into whether the move is anti-competitive.

Both ITV and BSkyB shares fell today following Friday’s decision by Rupert Murdoch’s satellite firm to spend £940 million (€1.391 billion) on the shareholding.