21^st Century Fox: Irish authorities approve acquisition of Sky

The Irish department of communication, energy, and resources has authorised the acquisition of Sky by 21^st Century Fox, announced the Irish authority on 27/06/2017. It considers that the operation would not give rise to a lack of plurality on the media market.

The European Commission had "unconditionally" approved the proposed acquisition of the British audiovisual group Sky by the US media conglomerate 21^st Century Fox on 07/04/2017. 21^st Century Fox had acquired the entirety of British audiovisual group Sky for £11.8bn (about €14bn) on 15/12/2015. James Murdoch, son of Rupert Murdoch, became president of Sky plc board of directors on 29/01/2016 and officially took office at the end of April 2016. He is also the CEO of 21^st Century Fox (which owns 39.1% of Sky), having already occupied the Sky presidency between 2003 and 2007.

For this transaction to be finalised, 21^st Century Fox must now obtain the backing of Karen Bradley, the UK minister of culture, media, and sports. The latter had asked Ofcom and the UK Competition Authority to investigate the acquisition of the audiovisual…