Is the Murdoch Empire 'Fit and Proper' Enough to Hold Broadcasting Licenses? New Questions Emerge in the U.K.
Posted in: Uncategorized
21st Century Fox faces the prospect of another hurdle in its bid for pay-TV provider Sky after a U.K. High Court judge allowed a legal challenge to proceed over whether Sky would remain fit to hold a broadcasting license under the control of media billionaire Rupert Murdoch.
Political advocacy group Avaaz, a key opponent of the 11.7 billion-pound ($16.2-billion) takeover, said Wednesday that it won the right to a judicial review of last year’s ruling by communications regulator Ofcom that Fox would be a so-called “fit and proper” owner of Sky. The case should be heard before the end of June, Avaaz said.
The challenge is the latest obstacle for Murdoch’s bid, which has faced a succession of regulatory and political tests to get clearance. Fox, which already owns 39 percent of Sky, is trying to purchase the remainder and plans to sell the broadcaster to Walt Disney Co. as part of their $52.4 billion asset deal announced in December.
Post a Comment