Can you help this poor man make up his mind about BSkyB's ITV stake?
Brian Butterworth published on UK Free TV Everyone's favourite politician, Lord Madleson, seems to have a problem making his mind up about BSkyB's stake in ITV plc.
27 April 2007 - the Office of Fair Trading submited a report that said "No".
24 May 2007 - The transaction is referred to the Competition Commission (under Section 45(2) of the Enterprise Act) for a "detailed investigation into the effects of the transaction both on competition and on the specified public interest consideration relating to the plurality of persons with control of media enterprises."
May Ofcom's views are asked for and Ofcom's responses (pursuant to Section 106B of the Enterprise Act 2002).
20 December 2007 - The Competition Commission's final report is published. It's another "no", but the minister has until 29 January 2008 to take and announce his final decisions on the transaction.
29 January 2008 - The Secretary of State announces his final decisions on the case, and it's a "no".
BUT!
2 January 2009 - The Secretary of State publishes for consultation draft undertakings implementing the remedies announced in his decision of 29 January 2008. Views are to be submitted by 23 January 2009.
Can you help explain what "no" means?
Please see Broadcasting & Cross-media Mergers - BERR.