Murdoch’s Fox cleared by EU to buy Sky

Rupert Murdoch’s Twenty-First Century Fox has secured unconditional EU competition approval for its £11.7bn (€14bn) takeover of pay-TV group Sky.

The European Commission yesterday said the deal did not raise any competition concerns as the companies are active in different markets in Europe, while existing rules in EU countries meant that rivals would still have access to Sky films and TV channels.

British regulators are still examining whether the deal would result in Mr Murdoch controlling too much of Britain’s media, and whether Fox would be committed to upholding broadcasting standards.