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#REDIRECT [[Sky UK]]
{{distinguish|Sky (cable company)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2018}}
{{Use British English|date=November 2018}}
{{Infobox company
|name = Sky Limited
| trading_name = Sky
|logo = Sky plc logo.png
|logo_size = 200px
|image = BSkyB Wind Turbine, Harlequin Avenue, London 02.jpg
|image_size = 250px
|image_caption = Sky's headquarters, in [[Isleworth]]
|type = [[Division (business)|Division]]
|former_name = British Sky Broadcasting (1990–2014) <br> Sky plc (2014–2018)
|industry = [[Mass media]]
|predecessor = [[Sky Television plc|Sky Television]]<br/>[[British Satellite Broadcasting]]
|founded = {{start date and age|2 November 1990}}
|founder = [[Rupert Murdoch]]
|defunct =
|location_city = Grant Way, [[Isleworth]], TW7 5QD, [[United Kingdom]]
|area_served = [[Europe]]
|key_people = [[Jeremy Darroch]] ([[Chief executive officer|CEO]])<br/>Andrew John Griffith (COO & [[Chief financial officer|CFO]])
|products = [[Direct-broadcast satellite]], [[pay television]], [[broadcasting]], [[Internet access|broadband]] and [[Mobile phone|telephony]] services
|revenue = [[Pound sterling|£]]12.916&nbsp;billion (2017)<ref name=prelims>{{cite web|url=https://assets.contentstack.io/v3/assets/bltdc2476c7b6b194dd/blt51a7c3f83021c131/597f050792bf720249caf4d7/download|title=Results for the twelve months ended 30 June 2017|publisher=BSkyB|date=July 2017|accessdate=17 March 2018}}</ref>
|operating_income = £700&nbsp;million (2017)<ref name=prelims/>
|net_income = £691&nbsp;million (2017)<ref name=prelims/>
|assets = £18.438&nbsp;billion (2017)<ref name=prelims/>
|equity = £18.438&nbsp;billion (2017)<ref name=prelims/>
|parent = [[Comcast]] {{small|(2018–present)}}<!-- per guidelines, required since Comcast has not owned Sky since its foundation in 1990 but only since 2018, 28 years later. -->
|num_employees = 31,000+ <small>(2018)</small><ref name="Key facts and figures">{{cite web|url=https://assets.contentstack.io/v3/assets/bltdc2476c7b6b194dd/blt2e85744d661a8f04/5b643b4a7eac3e673d5e661a/download |title=Sky at a glance |format=PDF |publisher=Sky |accessdate=2018-11-01 |df=dmy-all}}</ref>
|subsid = [[Sky UK]]<br/>[[Sky Ireland]]<br/>[[Sky Deutschland]]<br/>[[Sky Italia]]<br/>[[Sky España]]<br/>[[Amstrad]]<br/>[[The Cloud (company)|The Cloud]]
|homepage = {{URL|https://www.skygroup.sky}}
}}
'''Sky Limited'''<ref>https://www.theguardian.com/media/2018/nov/05/sky-faces-loss-of-disney-content-as-it-leaves-the-ftse-100</ref> is a pan-European, British [[media conglomorate|media]] and [[telecommunications]] company owned by [[Comcast]] and headquartered in [[London]]. It has operations in the [[United Kingdom]], [[Ireland]], [[Germany]], [[Austria]], [[Italy]] and [[Spain]]. Sky is Europe's biggest and leading media company and largest [[Pay television|pay-TV]] broadcaster by revenue ({{as of|2018|lc=y}}),<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.statista.com/statistics/283553/leading-european-pay-tv-operators-by-revenue/ |title=Leading European pay TV operators by revenue 2018 |website=Statista |language=en |access-date=2018-11-01 |df=dmy-all}}</ref> with 23&nbsp;million subscribers and 28,123 employees as of 2018.<ref name="Key facts and figures"/><ref name="News Corp. slows BSkyB bid">{{cite web|url= http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/World+News+Corp+slows+BSkyB/3669128/story.html|title= News Corp. slows BSkyB bid|date= 14 October 2010|work= [[Ottawa Citizen]]}}{{dead link|date=May 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

Initially formed in 1990 by the equal merger of [[Sky Television plc|Sky Television]] and [[British Satellite Broadcasting]], [[Sky UK|BSkyB]] became the UK's largest digital pay television company.{{Citation needed|date=November 2018}} In 2014, after completing the acquisition of [[Sky Italia]] and [[Sky Deutschland]], the merged company changed its name to Sky plc.<ref name="Sky plc">{{cite web|url=http://corporate.sky.com/media-centre/news-page/2014/sky-creates-europes-leading-entertainment-company |title=Sky creates Europe's leading entertainment company |publisher=Sky |date=13 November 2014 |accessdate=13 November 2014}}</ref> Prior to the acquisition, Sky was formerly listed on the [[London Stock Exchange]] and was a constituent of the [[FTSE 100 Index]] and had a [[market capitalisation]] of approximately £18.75&nbsp;billion (€26.76&nbsp;billion) as of 2018.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.stockchallenge.co.uk/ftse.php |title=FTSE All-Share Index Ranking| publisher=stockchallenge.co.uk| accessdate=26 December 2011}}</ref>

Prior to 2018, [[Rupert Murdoch]]'s [[21st Century Fox]] owned a 39.14% controlling stake in the company;<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/09/world/europe/09murdoch.html |title= Phone Scandal Poses Defining Test for a Murdoch Son |accessdate= 10 July 2011 |work= The New York Times |date= 8 July 2011 |archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20110709111704/http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/09/world/europe/09murdoch.html |archivedate= 9 July 2011 |deadurl= no}}</ref> on 9 December 2016, following a previous attempt under [[News Corporation]] that was affected by the [[News International phone hacking scandal]], 21st Century Fox announced it had agreed to buy the remainder of Sky, pending government approval.

[[The Walt Disney Company]] announced in December 2017 that it would, in turn, [[Proposed acquisition of 21st Century Fox by Disney|acquire 21st Century Fox]], including the Sky stake. However, Comcast ultimately won a bidding war over the stake for £17.28 per-share. Fox and the company's remaining shareholders agreed to sell their shares in Sky to Comcast.

==History==
{{further|Sky Television plc|British Satellite Broadcasting|Sky UK}}

===Foundation===
British Sky Broadcasting (BSkyB) was formed by the merger of [[Sky Television plc|Sky Television]] and [[British Satellite Broadcasting]] on 2 November 1990.<ref>Sky and BSB in merger deal. The Times, Saturday, 3 November 1990</ref> Both companies had begun to struggle financially and were both suffering financial losses as both competed against each other for viewers. ''The Guardian'' later characterised the merger as "effectively a takeover by News Corporation".<ref name="guardian.co.uk">[https://www.theguardian.com/media/organgrinder/2009/feb/04/sky-tv-early-years ''Sky TV's launch: 'a wing and a prayer' '', media editor Maggie Brown, Guardian ''Organgrinder'' blog, 5 February 2009] Retrieved 24 December 2012.</ref>

The merger was investigated by Office of Fair Trading<ref>Fair trading office to study merger of Sky and BSB. Melinda Wittstock, Media Correspondent. The Times, Tuesday, 6 November 1990</ref> and was cleared a month later since many of the represented views were more concerned about contractual arrangements which had nothing to do with competition.<ref>Merger of BSB and Sky cleared. Melinda Wittstock, Media Correspondent. The Times, Wednesday, 19 December 1990</ref> The [[Independent Broadcasting Authority]] was not consulted about the deal; after approval, the IBA demanded precise details about the merger, stated they were considering the repercussions of the deal to ultimately determine whether BSB contracts were null and void.<ref>IBA to rule this week on satellite merger. Melinda Wittstock, Media Correspondent. The Times, Monday, 5 November 1990</ref><ref>Bsb broke contract in merger with Sky, MPs told. Peter Mulligan Parliamentary Reporter. The Times, Tuesday, 13 November 1990</ref> On 17 November, the [[Independent Broadcasting Authority|IBA]] decided to terminate BSB's contract, but not immediately, as it was deemed unfair to 120,000 viewers who had bought BSB devices.<ref>IBA to pull the plug on BSB contract. Georgina Henry Media Editor. The Guardian; 17 November 1990</ref>

Sam Chisholm was appointed CEO<ref>Shops to withdraw squarials as three BSB 0ieciitiyes go. Melinda Wittstock, Media Correspondent. The Times, Thursday, 8 November 1990;</ref> in a bid to reorganise the new company, which, continued to make losses of £10&nbsp;million per week. The defunct BSB's HQ, [[Marco Polo House]] were sold, 39% of the new company's employees were made redundant to leave just under 1000 employees,<ref name="guardian.co.uk"/> many of the new senior BSkyB executive roles were given to Sky personnel with many BSB leaving the company. In April the nine Sky/BSB channels had been condensed into five, with EuroSport being dropped soon after the Sky Sports launch.<ref>Eurosport to close down over weekend. The Times, Saturday, 4 May 1991</ref> Chisholm also renegotiated the merged company's expensive deals with the Hollywood studios, slashing the minimum guaranteed payments. The defunct ''[[Marcopolo 1|Marcopolo I]]'' satellite was sold in December 1993 to Sweden's ''[[SES Sirius|NSAB]]'', and ''[[Thor (satellite)#Marcopolo 2 (Thor 1)|Marcopolo II]]'' went to Norway's ''[[Telenor]]'' in July 1992<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.canaldigital.com/about-us/the-canal-digital-story/|title=The Canal Digital Story|author=Canal Digital|work=canaldigital.com|accessdate=21 March 2015}}</ref> after the ITC was unable to find new companies to take over the BSB licences and compete with BSkyB. News International received 50%, [[Pearson PLC]] 17.5%, Chargeurs 17.5%, Granada 12%, Reed International 2% of the new shares in the company.<ref>Fall for Granada. The Times, Wednesday, 12 December 1990</ref>

By September 1991, the weekly losses had been reduced to £1.5M a week, [[Rupert Murdoch]] said "there were strong financial marketing and political reason[s] for making the compromise merger instead of letting BSB die. Many of the lessons had been learnt with more than half the running cost of the combined company". Further cuts in losses were a direct result of 313,000 new customers joining during the first half of 1991.<ref>Sky TV 'in sight of breaking even'. Graham Searjeant, Financial Editor. The Times, Thursday, 19 September 1991</ref> By March 1992, BSkyB posted its first operating profits, of £100,000 per week, with £3.8&nbsp;million weekly from subscriptions and £1&nbsp;million from advertising, but continued to be burdened with £1.28&nbsp;billion of debt. James Capel forecast BSkyB would still be indebted in 2000.<ref>BSkyB achieves operating profit ahead of forecasts. Melinda Wittstock, Media Correspondent. The Times, Tuesday, 10 March 1992</ref>

=== Premier League football ===
{{main|Sky Sports}}
{{further|Broadcasting and the foundation of the Premier League}}

In the autumn of 1991, talks were held for the broadcast rights for [[Premier League]] for a five-year period, from the 1992 season.<ref>ITV's monopoly threatened by Premier League. Peter Ball. The Times, Tuesday, 1 October 1991</ref> [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]] were the current rights holders for the [[English Football League|Football League]], and fought hard to gain the new rights. ITV had increased its offer from £18m to £34m per year to obtain the new rights.<ref>Premier League unity is tested by offer of £34m. Peter Ball. The Times, Saturday, 18 April 1992</ref> BSkyB joined forces with the [[BBC]]<ref>BSkyB and BBC bid offers huge rewards. Peter Ball. The Times, Monday 18 May 1992</ref> to make a counter bid. The [[BBC]] was given the highlights of most of the matches, while BSkyB paying £304m for the [[Premier League]] rights, would give them a monopoly of all live matches, up to 60 per year from the 1992–93 season.
<ref>Premier League kicks off with £304m TV deal. Peter Ball. The Times, Tuesday, 19 May 1992</ref> Murdoch has described sport as a "battering ram" for pay-television, providing a strong customer base.<ref>{{Cite news
| last =Douglas
| first = Torin
| title = Murdoch's rise to the top
| publisher=BBC News
| date = 12 March 1999
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/special_report/1999/03/99/murdochs_big_match/167937.stm
| accessdate =5 March 2007 }}</ref> A few weeks after the deal, ITV went to the High court to get an injunction as it believed their details were leaked before the decision was taken. [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]] also asked the Office of Fair Trading to also investigate since it believed Rupert Murdoch's media empire via the newspapers had influence the deal.<ref>ITV challenges football deal in High Court. Lin Jenkins. The Times, Saturday, 23 May 1992;</ref> A few days later neither action took effect, ITV believed BSkyB was telephoned and informed of its £262m bid, and [[Premier League]] advised BSkyB to increase its counter bid.<ref>ITV fails to halt football deal. Lin Jenkins. The Times, Wednesday, 27 May 1992</ref>

BSkyB retained the rights paying £670m for the 1997–2001 deal, but was challenged by On Digital<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/media/2000/may/08/bskyb.broadcasting 'Time to play hardball' by David Teather and Vivek Chaudhary investigate] Monday 8 May 2000</ref> for the rights from 2001–2004, thus it was forced to pay £1.1&nbsp;billion which gave it 66 live games a year.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/4454538/BSkyB-leaps-on-soccer-result.html|title=BSkyB leaps on soccer result|author=George Trefgarne, Financial Correspondent|date=15 June 2000|work=Telegraph.co.uk|accessdate=21 March 2015}}</ref>

Following a lengthy legal battle with the European Commission, which deemed the exclusivity of the rights to be against the interests of competition and the consumer, BSkyB's monopoly came to an end from the [[2007–08 in English football|2007–08 season]]. In May 2006, the Irish broadcaster [[Setanta Sports]] was awarded two of the six Premiership packages that the English FA offered to broadcasters. Sky picked up the remaining four for £1.3bn.<ref>{{Cite news
| title = Setanta joins Premiership action
| publisher=BBC News
| date = 5 May 2006
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/4975632.stm
| accessdate =5 March 2007 }}
</ref>

===Flotation===
In October 1994,<ref>BSkyB seeks to go into orbit with £5bn flotation. Buckingham, Lisa. The Guardian; 7 October 1994;</ref> BSkyB announced its plans to float the company on the UK and US stock exchanges, selling off 20% of the company.<ref>BSkyB's float has £50m price tag. Buckingham, Lisa, The Guardian; 26 November 1994</ref> The stock flotation reduced Murdoch's holding to 40 percent and raised £900m, which allowed the company to cut its debt in half. Sam Chisholm said "By any standards this is an excellent result, in every area of the company has performed strongly".<ref>£5m a week operating profits at BSkyB. Martin Waller, Deputy City Editor. The Times, Wednesday, 8 February 1995</ref> Chisholm, became one of the world's most highly paid television executives.<ref>BSkyB trio share £3.8m bonuses. Cowe, Roger; The Guardian; 15 November 1994</ref>

In 1995, BSkyB opened its second customer management centre at [[Dunfermline]], Scotland,<ref>New BSkyB centre to give Fife 1,000 jobs. Gillian Bowditch, Scotland Correspondent. The Times, Thursday, 6 October 1994;</ref> in addition to its original centre at [[Livingston, West Lothian|Livingston]] which opened in 1989. BSkyB entered the FTSE 100 index, operation profits increased to £155M a year, and Pearson sold off its 17.5% stake in the company.<ref>BSkyB soars to £155m as Pearson seeks stake sale. Alexandra Frean, Media Correspondent. The Times, Friday, 18 August 1995</ref>

Sam Chisholm resigned from BSkyB due to a rift with Rupert Murdoch.<ref>Murdoch row led BSkyB chief to quit. Emily Bell, Media Business Editor. The Observer (1901-2003); 22 June 1997</ref> A week later, Murdoch was quoted as saying "I cannot understand the fuss; BSkyB was grossly overpriced", which caused further rifts with the new management.<ref>Murdoch row splits BSkyB. Brown, Maggie. The Guardian; 7 July 1997</ref>

===Launch of Sky Digital===
In 1997, BSkyB formed a partnership with [[Carlton Television|Carlton]] and Granada to bid for the right for the new digital terrestrial network. In June, it was awarded the right to start the service, [[ONdigital]] under the condition BSkyB withdrew from the group's bid.<ref>ITV big two lead digital revolution. Eric Reguly and Carol Midgley. The Times, Wednesday, 25 June 1997</ref>

In February 2003 BSkyB wished to renegotiate its deal with MTV to reduce its payment from £20m. Chief executive Tony Ball said "We're definitely prepared to stare them down if we can't get a sensible deal, MTV, and other channels, have done particularly well out of the growth of Sky but the opportunity for savings is now there and Sky will be taking it," he added. "MTV has done extremely well out of that original deal."<ref>{{cite web|date=14 February 2003|title=Sky and MTV in cash row|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/2763959.stm}}</ref> On 17 April 2003 BSkyB launched its own range of music channels [[Scuzz]] and [[Flaunt (TV channel)|Flaunt]] with [[The Vault (TV channel)|The Vault]] being added in Summer 2003, as part of its plan to create its own original channels for the platform.<ref>[http://www.marketingweek.co.uk/is-channel-growth-music-to-the-ears/2024338.article Is channel growth music to the ears? | Archive]. Marketing Week (20 March 2003). Retrieved on 9 December 2013.</ref> Within 18 months the channels failed to make impact, and were outsourced to the [[CSC Media Group|Chart Show Channels]] company.<ref>[http://www.marketingweek.co.uk/bskyb-hands-running-of-music-channels-to-chart-channels/2013040.article BSkyB hands running of music channels to chart channels | Archive]. Marketing Week (16 September 2004). Retrieved on 9 December 2013.</ref>

Shortly afterwards it acquired [[Sky Arts|Artsworld]], giving a majority of subscribers full access to the channel. The buyout was part of James Murdoch's strategy to improve the perceptions BSkyB which could lead to potential new subscribers. John Cassy, the channel manager of Artsworld, said: "It is great news for the arts that a dedicated cultural channel will be available to millions of households."<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2005/jun/20/broadcasting.uknews | location=London | work=The Guardian | first=Owen | last=Gibson | title=Sky buys out arts channel | date=20 June 2005}}</ref>

In early 2007 Freeview overtook Sky Digital with nearly 200,000 more subscribers at the end of 2006, while cable broadcaster Virgin Media had three million customers.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6571203.stm | work=BBC News | title=Freeview 'overtakes Sky Digital' | date=19 April 2007}}</ref>

===Amstrad takeover===
In July 2007, BSkyB announced the takeover of [[Amstrad]] for £125m, a 23.7% premium on its market capitalisation.<ref name="BSkyB">{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6923517.stm|title=BSkyB agrees £125m Amstrad deal|accessdate=31 July 2007|date=31 July 2007|publisher=BBC News| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20070806235007/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6923517.stm| archivedate= 6 August 2007 | deadurl= no}}</ref>

===Virgin Media Television acquisition===
On 4 June 2010, BSkyB and [[Virgin Media]] announced that they had reached agreement for the acquisition by BSkyB of Virgin Media Television.<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://corporate.sky.com/page.aspx?pointerid=6123cbfe61d648e38fb10a1e7a2024e5
| title = BskyB and Virgin Media Reach Agreements on Sale of VMtv and Channel Distribution
| date = 4 June 2010
| accessdate =4 June 2010
| publisher=BSkyB| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20100608065548/http://corporate.sky.com/page.aspx?pointerid=6123cbfe61d648e38fb10a1e7a2024e5| archivedate= 8 June 2010 | deadurl= no}}
</ref><ref>{{cite web
|url = http://pressoffice.virginmedia.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=205406&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1434556&highlight=
|title = BskyB and Virgin Media Reach Agreements on Sale of VMtv and Channel Distribution
|date = 4 June 2010
|accessdate = 4 June 2010
|publisher = Virgin Media
}}{{Dead link|date=July 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

Virgin1 was also a part of the deal and was rebranded as [[Channel One (UK TV channel)|Channel One]] on 3 September 2010, as the Virgin name was not licensed to Sky.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2010/06/04/virgin-secures-new-sky-carriage-deal-after-vmtv-sale/|title=Virgin secures new Sky carriage deal after VMtv sale|publisher=Broadband TV News|date=4 June 2010}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2010/aug/05/bskyb-virgin1-channel-one|title=BSkyB rebrands Virgin1 as Channel One|work=The Guardian |location=UK |date=5 August 2010 | first=Mark | last=Sweney}}</ref> The new carriage deals are understood to be for up to nine years.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2010/jun/04/bskyb-buys-virgin-media-channels|title=BSkyB buys Virgin Media TV channels for £160m|work=The Guardian |location=UK |date=4 June 2010 | first=Jason | last=Deans}}</ref>

On 29 June 2010, [[Competition Authority (Ireland)|The Competition Authority]] in Ireland cleared the proposed transaction.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tca.ie/images/uploaded/documents/M-10-020%20The%20CA%20clears%20the%20proposed%20acquisition%20of%20VMtv%20by%20Sky.pdf|title=Competition Authority clears the acquisition by British Sky Broadcasting Limited of Virgin Media Television|publisher=The Competition Authority|date=29 June 2010|access-date=30 June 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110430050859/http://www.tca.ie/images/uploaded/documents/M-10-020%20The%20CA%20clears%20the%20proposed%20acquisition%20of%20VMtv%20by%20Sky.pdf|archive-date=30 April 2011|dead-url=yes}}</ref>

On 20 July 2010, The [[Office of Fair Trading]] announced that they would review BSkyB's acquisition of the Virgin Media Television business to judge whether it posed any competition concerns in the UK.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/digitaltv/news/a247293/oft-to-review-skys-vmtv-deal.html|title=OFT to review Sky's VMtv deal|publisher=Digital Spy|date=20 July 2010}}</ref> The OFT planned to investigate the deal to see whether it could constitute a qualifying merger under the [[Enterprise Act 2002]]. The watchdog invited interested parties from the industry to comment on the sale, including its potential impact on the pay-TV market. On 14 September 2010, the OFT decided not to refer BSkyB's takeover of Virgin Media's TV channels to the [[Competition Commission]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.c21media.net/news/detail.asp?area=4&article=57297|title=OFT okays Sky's Virgin Media TV deal|publisher=C21Media|date=14 September 2010}}</ref>

===Attempted takeover by News Corporation===
{{Main|News Corporation takeover bid for BSkyB}}

In June 2010, News Corporation made a bid for complete ownership of BSkyB. However, following the [[News International]] [[News International phone hacking scandal|phone hacking scandal]], critics and politicians began to question the appropriateness of the proposed takeover. The resulting reaction forced News Corp. to withdraw its bid for the company in July 2011.<ref name="bbc-takeoverpulled">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-14142307|title=News Corp withdraws bid for BSkyB|publisher=BBC|date=13 July 2011|accessdate=13 July 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author= |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/phone-hacking/8634176/News-of-the-World-phone-hacking-scandal-timeline.html |title=News of the World phone hacking scandal: timeline |publisher=Telegraph |date=13 July 2011|accessdate=14 July 2011 |location=London |first1=Indu |last1=Chandrasekhar |first2=Murray |last2=Wardrop |first3=Andy |last3=Trotman| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20110714013912/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/phone-hacking/8634176/News-of-the-World-phone-hacking-scandal-timeline.html|archivedate=14 July 2011|deadurl= no}}</ref> The scandal forced the resignation of [[James Murdoch]], who was the chairman of both BSkyB and News International, from his executive positions in the UK, with Nicholas Ferguson taking over as Chairman of BSkyB.<ref>{{cite web|title=James Murdoch resigns as BSkyB chairman|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-17599269|website=BBC News|accessdate=9 December 2015|date=3 April 2012}}</ref>

In September 2012, [[Ofcom]] ruled that BSkyB was still fit to hold broadcast licenses in the UK, but criticised James Murdoch's handling of the scandal.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2012/sep/20/sky-broadcast-james-murdoch-criticised|title=Sky ruled fit for broadcast licence, but James Murdoch comes in for criticism|last=O'Carroll|first=Lisa|date=20 September 2012|work=The Guardian|access-date=13 July 2017|last2=Davies|first2=Lizzy|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077}}</ref>

On 28 June 2013, News Corporation was split into two publicly-traded companies; the company's publishing operations (including News International, renamed [[News UK]]) and broadcasting operations in Australia were spun into a new company known as [[News Corp]], while the company's broadcast media assets, including its 39.14% stake in Sky, were renamed [[21st Century Fox]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://articles.latimes.com/2013/jun/28/entertainment/la-et-ct-news-corp-21st-century-fox-20130628|title=News Corp. divides into two companies; 21st Century Fox is born|date=28 June 2013|publisher=Los Angeles Times|accessdate=12 April 2017}}</ref>

===European acquisitions===
On 12 May 2014, BSkyB confirmed that it was in talks with its largest shareholder, [[21st Century Fox]], about acquiring 21st Century Fox's 57.4% stake in [[Sky Deutschland]] and its 100% stake in [[Sky Italia]]. The enlarged company (dubbed "Sky Europe" in the media) will consolidate 21st Century Fox's European digital TV assets into one company.<ref>[http://corporate.sky.com/media/press_releases/2014/statement_on_potential_acquisition ''Statement on potential acquisition'', BSkyB 12 May 2014]. Retrieved: 19 June 2014.</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Williams|first1=Christopher|title='Sky Europe': what is behind BSkyB's effort to buy Murdoch's European pay-TV businesses?|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/mediatechnologyandtelecoms/media/10825535/Sky-Europe-what-is-behind-BSkyBs-effort-to-buy-Murdochs-European-pay-TV-businesses.html|website=Telegraph.co.uk|publisher=Telegraph Media Group|accessdate=19 June 2014|date=12 May 2014}}</ref> The £4.9&nbsp;billion takeover deal was formally announced on 25 July, where BSkyB would acquire 21st Century Fox's stakes in Sky Deutschland and Sky Italia. BSkyB also made a required takeover offer to Sky Deutschland's minority shareholders,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/2014/07/25/us-bskyb-europe-idUKKBN0FU0EE20140725 |title=BSkyB to pay $9&nbsp;billion to create Sky Europe |publisher=Reuters |date=25 July 2014 |accessdate=25 July 2014}}</ref> resulting in BSkyB acquiring 89.71% of Sky Deutschland's share capital. The acquisitions were completed on 13 November.<ref name="Sky plc"/> British Sky Broadcasting Group plc changed its name to Sky plc to reflect the European acquisitions, and the United Kingdom operations were renamed [[Sky (United Kingdom)|Sky UK Limited]]. Sky plc bought out the remaining minority shareholders in Sky Deutschland during 2015, using a [[squeeze-out]] procedure to obtain the remaining shares and delist Sky Deutschland on 15 September 2015.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Gallivan|first1=Rory|title=Sky completes full acquisition of Sky Deutschland|url=http://www.marketwatch.com/story/sky-completes-full-acquisition-of-sky-deutschland-2015-09-15-64852924|website=Marketwatch|accessdate=9 December 2015|date=15 September 2015}}</ref>

=== Takeover by Comcast ===
On 9 December 2016, 21st Century Fox announced that it had made an offer to acquire the remainder of Sky plc for £11.7&nbsp;billion at a value of £10.75 per-share. It marks Fox's second attempt to take over Sky, as its previous attempt under News Corporation was affected by the [[News of the World phone hacking scandal investigations|News International scandal]]. The two companies reached an agreement on the deal on 15 December; it is subject to regulatory approval.<ref name="bloomberg-foxtakeover">{{cite web|title=21st Century Fox Agrees to Buy Sky|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-12-09/fox-in-preliminary-deal-to-acquire-sky-for-10-75-pounds-a-share|website=Bloomberg|accessdate=11 December 2016}}</ref><ref name="bbc-sky21cf">{{cite web|title=Sky and 21st Century Fox agree £18.5bn takeover deal|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-38326530|website=BBC News|accessdate=15 December 2016}}</ref>

[[Ofcom]] expressed concern that this purchase would give the Murdoch family "material influence over news providers with a significant presence across all key platforms" and "increased influence over the UK news agenda and the political process". However, the regulator did deem that a Fox-owned Sky would be "fit and proper" to hold broadcast licences, despite the recent sexual harassment controversies that had emerged at the U.S. [[Fox News Channel]], as there was no evidence to the contrary.<ref>{{cite web|title=Fox News Scandals, Political Influence Concerns Cast Long Shadow Over Sky Review|url=https://variety.com/2017/tv/news/fox-news-sexual-harassment-sky-21st-century-fox-1202482623/|website=Variety|accessdate=29 June 2017}}</ref><ref name="guardian-bradley">{{cite web|title=Murdoch's Sky bid likely to be referred to competition authorities|url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2017/jun/29/rupert-murdoch-sky-takeover-bid-referred-to-competition-authorites|work=The Guardian|date=29 June 2017|accessdate=29 June 2017}}</ref><ref name="nyt-foxreview">{{cite web|title=Major Setback for Murdoch in $15 Billion Sky Takeover|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/29/business/media/sky-21st-century-fox.html|website=The New York Times|accessdate=29 June 2017}}</ref> [[Avaaz]] opposed Ofcom's opinion, stating that the regulator "made mistake after mistake in deciding to give the Murdochs a clean bill of health to take over more of our media".<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/foxs-sky-deal-faces-new-challenge-fit-proper-decision-1034562|title=Fox's Sky Deal Faces Challenge to "Fit and Proper" Decision|work=The Hollywood Reporter|accessdate=29 September 2017}}</ref>

[[The Walt Disney Company]] announced on 14 December 2017, that it would acquire 21st Century Fox, including its stake in Sky plc but barring specific U.S. assets. Fox stated that this purchase would "not alter [its] full commitment and obligation to conclude our proposed transaction." Analysts suggested that Disney's proposed transaction could ease regulatory concerns over Fox's purchase of Sky, as the company will eventually lose its ties to the Murdoch family. Disney has a narrower scope of media ownership in the country than the Murdoch family.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://deadline.com/2017/12/disney-fox-deal-sky-deal-still-on-the-table-expected-to-close-june-2018-1202226861/|title=Disney-Fox Deal: Sky Deal Still On The Table, Expected To Close By June 2018|last=White|first=Peter|date=14 December 2017|work=Deadline|access-date=14 December 2017|language=en-US}}</ref> Sky already has a relationship with Disney for its [[Sky Cinema]] service, holding pay television rights to its films in the United Kingdom and operating a dedicated Sky Cinema channel devoted to Disney content.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2013/feb/21/sky-movies-disney-new-channel-uk|title=Sky Movies Disney: new channel to show UK TV film premieres|last=Deans|first=Jason|date=21 February 2013|work=The Guardian|access-date=15 December 2017|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077}}</ref>

A preliminary report by the [[Competition and Markets Authority]] issued January 2018 called for the insulation or outright divestment of [[Sky News]] as a condition of the purchase, so that it is editorially independent from the Murdoch family.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2018/jan/23/rupert-murdoch-sky-bid-blocked-21st-century-fox-cma|title=Rupert Murdoch's Sky bid is not in public interest, says regulator|last=Sweney|first=Mark|date=23 January 2018|work=The Guardian|accessdate=24 January 2018}}</ref> Sky had threatened to reevaluate the channel's continued operations if they "unduly impeded merger and/or other corporate opportunities available in relation to Sky's broader business." The channel has operated on a loss of at least £40 million per-year.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-41909321|title=Sky threatens to shut down Sky News|date=8 November 2017|work=BBC News|accessdate=22 February 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-42370822|title=Sky News faces uncertain future|last=Plummer|first=Robert|date=15 December 2017|work=BBC News|accessdate=22 February 2018}}</ref> In February 2018, Fox proposed the establishment of an independent editorial board, and committing to fund the network for at least 10 years. This commitment would be inherited by Disney after the completion of its purchase of 21st Century Fox.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-02-20/fox-ties-disney-to-sky-news-guarantee-to-win-takeover-approval|title=Fox Ties Disney to Sky News Guarantee to Win Takeover Approval|date=20 February 2018|work=Bloomberg|accessdate=22 February 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://variety.com/2018/tv/news/fox-offers-revised-sky-news-commitment-british-competition-watchdog-1202704728/|title=Fox Offers to Increase Sky News Commitment to Satisfy British Competition Watchdog|last=Mitchell|first=Robert|date=20 February 2018|work=Variety|accessdate=22 February 2018}}</ref> On 3 April 2018, Fox stated that Disney had "expressed an interest in acquiring Sky News", which would not be conditional on its proposal to acquire 21st Century Fox.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://variety.com/2018/tv/news/disney-sky-news-21st-century-fox-takeover-bid-1202742166/|title=Disney Could Acquire Sky News in Fox-Sky Deal's Latest Twist|last=Clarke|first=Stewart|date=3 April 2018|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|accessdate=3 April 2018}}</ref>

A [[bidding war]] began 25 April 2018, when the competing U.S. media and telecoms conglomerate [[Comcast]] (owner of [[NBCUniversal]]), announced a counter-offer for Sky at £12.50 per-share, or approximately £22.1 billion.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-43209100|title=Murdoch bid for Sky challenged by US giant|date=27 February 2018|work=BBC News|accessdate=27 February 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://deadline.com/2018/02/comcast-mulls-renewed-21st-century-fox-pursuit-1202285921/|title=Comcast Mulls Renewing Its 21st Century Fox Assets Pursuit – Report|last=Haring|first=Bruce|date=12 February 2018|work=Deadline Hollywood|accessdate=24 February 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://variety.com/2018/biz/news/comcast-fox-bid-disney-merger-1202694858/|title=Comcast May Make Another Bid for 21st Century Fox (Report)|date=12 February 2018|work=Variety|accessdate=24 February 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-43891132|title=Comcast starts £22bn bidding war for Sky|last=Wilson|first=Bill|date=25 April 2018|work=BBC News|access-date=25 April 2018|language=en-GB}}</ref> NBCUniversal CEO [[Steve Burke (businessman)|Steve Burke]] stated that purchasing Sky would roughly double its presence in English-speaking markets, and allow for synergies between the respective networks and studios of NBCUniversal and Sky.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://deadline.com/2018/02/nbcus-steve-burke-claims-comcasts-31b-sky-deal-will-boost-scripted-tv-film-fortunes-1202304579/|title=NBCU's Steve Burke Claims Comcast's $31B Sky Deal Will Boost Scripted TV & Film Fortunes, Fox Notes No "Firm Offer" Was Made; 21st Century Fox Reacts – Update|last=White|first=Peter|date=27 February 2018|work=Deadline Hollywood|accessdate=27 February 2018}}</ref>

On 5 June 2018, [[Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport|Culture Secretary]] [[Matt Hancock]] cleared both 21st Century Fox and Comcast's respective offers to acquire Sky plc. Fox's offer is contingent on the divestiture of Sky News.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-44373621|title=Sky bid battle looms after government nod|date=5 June 2018|work=BBC News|access-date=5 June 2018|language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Szalai |first1=Georg |title=U.K. Approves Fox's Sky Bid, Subject to Sale of Sky News, and Clears Comcast Offer |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/uk-approves-foxs-sky-bid-subject-sale-sky-news-clears-comcast-offer-1115661 |accessdate=5 June 2018 |work=The Hollywood Reporter}}</ref> On 12 June 2018, Comcast announced a US$65 billion counter-offer to acquire the 21st Century Fox assets that Disney had offered to purchase.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theverge.com/2018/6/13/17457244/comcast-21st-century-fox-film-tv-studios-acquisition-deal-announced|title=Comcast makes $65 billion offer to steal 21st Century Fox away from Disney|work=The Verge|access-date=13 June 2018}}</ref> However, Fox subsequently agreed to an increased, US$71.3 billion offer from Disney instead.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/fox-disney-announce-new-deal-1529496937|title=21st Century Fox Agrees to Higher Offer From Disney|last=Hagey|first=Keach|date=21 June 2018|work=Wall Street Journal|access-date=26 June 2018|last2=Schwartzel|first2=Erich|language=en-US|issn=0099-9660}}</ref> On 15 June 2018, the European Commission gave antitrust clearance to Comcast's offer to purchase Sky, citing that in terms of their current assets in Europe, there would be limited impact on competition. Comcast included a 10-year commitment to the operations and funding of Sky News similar to that of Disney's offer.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/comcast-clears-eu-hurdle-in-29-billion-bid-for-sky-1529076176|title=Comcast Clears EU Hurdle in $29 Billion Bid for Sky|last=Woo|first=Stu|date=15 June 2018|work=Wall Street Journal|access-date=18 June 2018|language=en-US|issn=0099-9660}}{{subscription required}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-06-15/comcast-clears-eu-antitrust-hurdle-for-sky-ahead-of-disney-fight|title=Comcast Clears EU Antitrust Hurdle for Sky Ahead of Disney Fight|date=15 June 2018|work=Bloomberg.com|access-date=18 June 2018|language=en}}{{subscription required}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/eu-clears-comcasts-bid-sky-1107237|title=EU Clears Comcast's Bid for Sky|work=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=18 June 2018|language=en}}</ref> On 19 June 2018, Disney formally agreed to acquire Sky News as part of Fox's proposed bid, with a 15-year commitment to increase its annual funding from £90 million to £100 million.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/walt-disney-agrees-acquire-sky-news-boost-funding-1119303|title=Walt Disney Agrees to Acquire Sky News, Annual Funding to Be Boosted to $130M|work=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=19 June 2018|language=en}}</ref>

On 11 July 2018, Fox increased its bid for Sky to £14.00 per-share, valuing it at £24.5 billion. Comcast subsequently counterbid just hours later with an offer at £14.75 per-share, valued at £26 billion.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-44791383|title=Murdoch's Fox increases Sky bid|date=11 July 2018|work=BBC News|access-date=11 July 2018|language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://variety.com/2018/tv/news/takeover-body-hikes-price-disney-would-need-to-offer-for-sky-1202872637/|title=U.K. Takeover Body Hikes Price Disney Would Need to Offer for Sky|last=Clarke|first=Stewart|date=13 July 2018|work=Variety|access-date=13 July 2018|language=en-US}}</ref> On 19 July 2018, after Fox agreed to a Disney counter-offer,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2018/06/disney-outbids-comcast-in-escalating-bidding-war-for-21st-century-fox/|title=Sorry, Comcast: Fox and Disney sign new merger deal, rejecting Comcast bid|work=Ars Technica|access-date=20 June 2018|language=en-us}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/20/business/dealbook/disney-comcast-21st-century-fox.html|title=Disney Ups Its Bid for 21st Century Fox to $71.3 Billion|work=The New York Times|access-date=20 June 2018|language=en}}</ref> it was reported that Comcast had abandoned its bid for 21st Century Fox to focus solely on Sky.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-44893625|title=Comcast likely to be new owner of Sky|date=19 July 2018|work=BBC News|access-date=21 July 2018|language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/comcast-drops-bid-for-fox-assets-will-pursue-sky-1532004447|title=Comcast Drops Bid for Fox Assets, Will Focus on Pursuit of Sky|last=Ramachandran|first=Shalini|date=19 July 2018|work=Wall Street Journal|access-date=21 July 2018|language=en-US|issn=0099-9660}}</ref>

On 20 September 2018, the [[Panel on Takeovers and Mergers]] ordered that a blind auction be held "in order to provide an orderly framework for the resolution of this competitive situation". In this process, Fox, followed by Comcast, made new cash-only bids for Sky. After these first two rounds of bidding, there would be a third round where both companies could make new offers. However, the third round of bidding would only be binding if both companies make a bid. The results were to be revealed on 22 September, and be confirmed by the start of trading on 24 September.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.theguardian.com/business/2018/sep/20/sky-takeover-battle-fox-comcast-auction-regulator|title=Sky takeover battle must go to auction, orders regulator|last=Waterson|first=Jim|date=20 September 2018|website=the Guardian|language=en|access-date=20 September 2018}}</ref> Comcast won the auction with a bid of £17.28 per-share, beating Fox's bid of £15.67.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://techcrunch.com/2018/09/22/comcast-outbids-fox-in-40b-battle-for-sky/|title=Comcast outbids Fox in $40B battle for Sky|last=Clark|first=Kate|date=22 September 2018|work=TechCrunch|access-date=22 September 2018|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-45615441|title=Sky: Comcast outbids Fox with £30bn bid for broadcaster|date=22 September 2018|work=BBC News|access-date=22 September 2018|language=en-GB}}</ref> Sky plc had until 11 October to formally accept this offer.<ref name="variety-openmarket">{{Cite news|url=https://variety.com/2018/tv/global/comcast-buys-sky-shares-open-market-1202956344/|title=Comcast Buys Over 30% of Sky on Open Market, Seeks More Before Takeover Deadline|last=Clarke|first=Stewart|date=25 September 2018|work=Variety|access-date=27 September 2018|language=en-US}}</ref>

Following its auction victory, Comcast began to acquire Sky shares from the open market. On 26 September 2018, Fox subsequently announced its intent to sell all of its shares in Sky plc to Comcast for £12 billion.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.theguardian.com/media/2018/sep/26/rupert-murdochs-sky-reign-to-end-as-fox-sells-all-shares-to-comcast|title=Rupert Murdoch's Sky reign to end as Fox sells all shares to Comcast|last=Waterson|first=Jim|date=26 September 2018|website=The Guardian|language=en|access-date=27 September 2018}}</ref><ref name="variety-openmarket"/> On 4 October 2018, Fox completed the sale of their stakes to Comcast, giving the latter a 76.8% controlling stake. The transaction is expected to be completed in November, and Sky would be delisted.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://variety.com/2018/tv/news/comcast-closes-deal-for-foxs-sky-stake-owns-over-75-of-european-pay-tv-giant-1202973728/|title=Comcast Closes Deal for Fox’s Sky Stake, Owns Over 75% of European Pay-TV Giant|last=Clarke|first=Stewart|date=9 October 2018|work=Variety|access-date=11 October 2018|language=en-US}}</ref> On 12 October 2018, Comcast announced it will compulsorily acquire the rest of Sky after its bid gained acceptances from 95.3% of the broadcaster's shareholders<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stockmarketwire.com/article/6165253/Comcast-to-buy-remaining-Sky-shares-after-bid-gets-95pct-acceptance.html|title=Comcast to buy remaining Sky shares after bid gets 95% acceptance|date=12 October 2018|publisher=Stock Market Wire|accessdate=15 October 2018}}</ref> and later Comcast acquired the rest of 5% of the shares of the Sky and was delisted on 7 November.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cmcsa.com/static-files/ab8e5d23-2bf7-4929-83cf-45033c1891d6|title=Recommended mandatory superior cash offer for Sky: Compulsory acquisition of Sky shares}}</ref> As a result of the structure of the merger, Sky plc became a limited liability company with the legal name Sky Ltd.

==Management==
The first CEO of BSkyB was [[Sam Chisholm]], who was CEO of Sky TV before the merger. Chisholm served in this position until 1997. He was followed by Mark Booth who was credited with leading the company through the introduction of Sky. [[Tony Ball]] was appointed in 1999 and completed the company's analogue to digital conversion. He is also credited with returning the company to profit and bringing subscriber numbers to new heights. In 2003, Ball announced his resignation and [[James Murdoch (media executive)|James Murdoch]], son of Rupert Murdoch was announced as his successor. This appointment caused allegations of [[nepotism]] from shareholders.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Bell|first=Emily|title=Rupert and the joys of nepotism|work=The Guardian|date=5 November 2003|url=https://www.theguardian.com/Columnists/Column/0,,1078016,00.html|accessdate=6 March 2007|location=London}}</ref>

On 7 December 2007, it was announced that [[Rupert Murdoch]] would be stepping down as BSkyB's non-executive chairman and would be replaced by his son, [[James Murdoch (media executive)|James]]. In turn, James stepped down as CEO of BSkyB, to be replaced by [[Jeremy Darroch]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=104016&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1085142 |title=BSkyB – Investor Relations – Press Release |publisher=Phx.corporate-ir.net |date=7 December 2007 |accessdate=18 April 2011}}</ref>

The current 11 company directors include Nicholas Ferguson (chief executive), David Darroch (chief executive officer), Matthieu Pigasse (managing director), Tracy Clarke (bank executive), David Lewis (chief executive officer), Andrew Sukawaty (manager), Adine Axen (director), John Nallen (company director) and Charles Carey (chief executive officer and president).<ref>{{Cite web|title = Sky PLC {{!}} DueDil|url = https://www.duedil.com/company/02247735/sky-plc/people|website = www.duedil.com|accessdate = 1 December 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151208081851/https://www.duedil.com/company/02247735/sky-plc/people|archive-date = 8 December 2015|dead-url = yes|df = dmy-all}}</ref>

==Financial performance==
Financial results have been as follows:<ref name=prelims/>

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right;"
|+ Revenue and profit or loss, by fiscal year
|-
!scope="col"|Year ended
!scope="col"|Revenue (£m)
!scope="col"|Profit/(loss)<br>before tax (£m)
!scope="col"|Net profit/<br>(loss)(£m)
|-
! scope="row" | 30 June 2017
| 12,916
| 803
| 691
|-
! scope="row" | 30 June 2016
| 11,965
| 752
| 663
|-
! scope="row" | 30 June 2015
| 9,989
| 1,516
| 1,952
|-
! scope="row" | 30 June 2014
| 7,632
| 1,082
| 865
|-
! scope="row" | 30 June 2013
| 7,235
| 1,257
| 979
|-
! scope="row" | 30 June 2012
| 6,791
| 1,189
| 906
|-
! scope="row" | 30 June 2011
| 6,597
| 1,014
| 810
|-
! scope="row" | 30 June 2010
| 5,709
| 1,173
| 878
|-
! scope="row" | 30 June 2009
| 5,359
| 456
| 259
|-
! scope="row" | 30 June 2008
| 4,952
| 60
| (127)
|-
! scope="row" | 30 June 2007
| 4,551
| 815
| 499
|-
! scope="row" | 30 June 2006
| 4,148
| 798
| 551
|-
! scope="row" | 30 June 2005
| 4,048
| 631
| 425
|-
! scope="row" | 30 June 2004
| 3,656
| 480
| 322
|-
! scope="row" | 30 June 2003
| 3,186
| 128
| 190
|-
! scope="row" | 30 June 2002
| 2,776
| (1,276)
| (1,383)
|-
! scope="row" | 30 June 2001
| 2,306
| (515)
| (539)
|-
! scope="row" | 30 June 2000
| 1,847
| (263)
| (272)
|-
! scope="row" | 30 June 1999
| 1,545
| (389)
| (285)
|-
! scope="row" | 30 June 1998
| 1,434
| 271
| 249
|-
! scope="row" | 30 June 1997
| 1,270
| 314
| 288
|-
! scope="row" | 30 June 1996
| 1,008
| 257
| –
|-
! scope="row" | 30 June 1995
| 778
| 155
| –
|-
! scope="row" | 30 June 1994
| 550
| 93
| –
|-
! scope="row" | 30 June 1993
| 380
| (76)
| –
|-
! scope="row" | 30 June 1992
| 233
| (188)
| –
|-
! scope="row" | 30 June 1991
| 93
| (759)
| –
|}

==Current operations==

===Subsidiaries===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
| '''[[Sky (United Kingdom)|Sky UK Ltd]]''' <br>The original [[Sky Television plc]], now a holding company for Sky's United Kingdom operations.<ref>{{cite book|title=High Above: The untold story of Astra, Europe's leading satellite company|first=Chris |last=Forrester|publisher=Springer|year=2011|isbn=978-3642120084}}</ref>
|-
| '''Sky Subscriber Services Ltd'''<br>Operating company for the Sky pay-television service.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://my.virginmedia.com/content/dam/virgoBrowse/docs/SkyLetterOnev4.doc|title=Sky Subscriber Services|publisher=Virgin Media|accessdate=17 March 2018}}</ref>
|-
| '''Sky In-Home Services Ltd'''<br>Home installations of satellite dishes and set-top boxes.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/employment-tribunal-decisions/mr-stuart-trigg-v-sky-in-home-services-ltd-1600338-2016|title=Mr Stuart Trigg v Sky In-home Services Ltd|publisher=Employment Tribunal|date=25 April 2017|accessdate=17 March 2018}}</ref>
|-
| '''[[Sky Broadband|Sky Broadband Ltd]]''' and '''Sky Home Communications Ltd'''<br>Operating companies for Sky's broadband and telephony services, including Be Un Limited which was acquired from [[Telefónica UK]]/[[O2 (United Kingdom)|O2]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thinkbroadband.com/news/7623-sky-q-to-allow-people-to-do-away-with-satellite-dish.html|title=Sky Q to allow people to do away with satellite dish|publisher=Think broadband|accessdate=17 March 2018}}</ref>
|-
| '''[[Sky Ireland]]'''<br>Operating company for Sky pay-television service in Ireland.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/business/media-and-marketing/sky-to-invest-1bn-in-dublin-hq-1.1071497|date=28 January 2013|publisher=Irish Times|title=Sky to invest Euro 1bn in Dublin HQ|accessdate=17 March 2018}}</ref>
|-
| '''[[Sky Italia|Sky Italia Srl]]'''<br>Operating company for Sky pay-television service in Italy.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ansa.it/web/notizie/rubriche/spettacolo/2011/08/01/visualizza_new.html_760038048.html|title=Sky: Andrea Zappia nuovo ad Sky Italia |language=Italian|work=ANSA|date=8 January 2011|accessdate=28 June 2013}}</ref>
|-
| '''[[Sky Deutschland|Sky Deutschland AG]]'''<br>Operating company for Sky pay-television service in Germany and Austria.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/2013/01/14/us-skydeutschland-newscorp-idUKBRE90D08W20130114| title=News Corp to grab control of Sky Deutschland | author=Christoph Steitz and Harro Ten Wolde | publisher=Reuters | date=14 January 2013}}</ref>
|-
| '''[[Sky España]]'''<br>In September 2017, Sky launched an over-the-top video streaming service in Spain, featuring content from 21st Century Fox, Disney, NBCUniversal, Turner and Viacom.<ref>[https://variety.com/2017/tv/news/sky-launches-spanish-streaming-service-1202553938/ Sky Launches Low-Cost Streaming Service in Spain] - Stewart Clarke, Variety, 11 September 2017</ref>
|-
| '''[[Acetrax]]'''<br>A [[video on demand]] movie rental service. Now closed down.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tech/news/a379753/sky-acquires-acetrax-as-it-prepares-for-now-tv-launch.html|title=Sky acquires Acetrax as it prepares for NOW TV launch|publisher=Digital Spy|date=3 May 2012|accessdate=23 January 2013}}</ref>
|-
| '''[[Amstrad]]'''<br>British electronics company acquired by [[BSkyB]].<ref name="BSkyB"/>
|-
| '''[[Now TV (Sky Ltd)|Now TV]]'''<br>An internet broadcast company owned by Sky.
|-
| '''[[Freesat from Sky]]'''<br>A free Satellite television service similar to [[Freesat]] and [[Freeview (UK)|Freeview]].
|-
| '''[[The Cloud (company)|The Cloud]]'''<br>Wi-Fi provider acquired by [[BSkyB]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theregister.co.uk/2011/01/27/bskyb_buys_the_cloud/ |title=BSkyB reels in Wi-Fi network operator The Cloud |publisher=The Register |date=27 January 2011 |accessdate=26 June 2013}}</ref>
|}

===Ventures===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
| [[A&E Networks#A+E Networks UK|A&E Networks UK]] (50%) – with [[A&E Networks]]. Operates [[History (European TV channel)|History]], [[Lifetime (UK and Ireland)|Lifetime]] and [[Crime & Investigation Network (Europe)|CI]] channels.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Thorne|first1=Clive D.|last2=Davis|first2=Georgia|title=High Court finds that 'history' can be repeated|url=http://www.internationallawoffice.com/Newsletters/Intellectual-Property/United-Kingdom/RPC/High-Court-finds-that-history-can-be-repeated|website=International Law Office|publisher=Globe Business Media Group|accessdate=28 November 2016|ref=8 April 2013}}</ref>
|-
| [[At the Races]] (50%) - with [[Arena Racing Company]]
|-
|[[Ginx TV]] Ltd (50%) - with [[ITV plc]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mcvuk.com/news/43185/UK-games-channel-targets-12m-viewers|title=UK games channel targets 12m viewers|publisher=Market for Home Computing and Video Games|date=23 February 2011}}</ref>
|-
| Nickelodeon UK Ltd (40%)<ref name="annrep2009">
{{cite web
|url = http://corporate.sky.com/documents/pdf/1ffb247d89b6490c9cd3dc7a4f24f4eb/report_09
|title = Group investments
|year = 2010
|work = Annual Report 2009
|publisher = British Sky Broadcasting
|page = 109
|format = PDF
|accessdate = 20 March 2010
|deadurl = yes
|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20090925175009/http://corporate.sky.com/documents/pdf/1ffb247d89b6490c9cd3dc7a4f24f4eb/report_09
|archivedate = 25 September 2009
|df = dmy-all
}}
</ref> – with [[Viacom International Media Networks Europe]], part of [[Viacom]]. Operates [[Nickelodeon (UK and Ireland)|Nickelodeon]] and associated channels
|-
| [[Love Productions]] (70%)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://corporate.sky.com/media/press_releases/2014/sky_acquires_majority_stake_in_love_productions |title=Sky acquires majority stake in Love Productions |publisher=BSkyB |date=21 July 2014 |accessdate=21 July 2014}}</ref>
|}

===Partnerships===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
| [[Comedy Central (UK and Ireland)]] (25%)<ref name="annrep2009" /> – with Paramount British Pictures, part of [[Viacom]]/[[National Amusements]]
|-
| DTV Services Ltd (20%) – with [[Arqiva]], [[BBC]], [[Channel 4]] and [[ITV plc]]. Manages and markets the [[Freeview (UK)|Freeview]] brand.<ref>
{{cite web| url= http://www.freeview.co.uk/freeview/About-Us| title= About us| work= | publisher= [[Freeview (UK)|Freeview]]| accessdate= 20 March 2010| quote= Freeview is managed by DTV Services Ltd, a company owned and run by its five shareholders&nbsp;– BBC, BSkyB, Channel 4, ITV and Arqiva.| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20100405102446/http://www.freeview.co.uk/freeview/About-Us| archivedate= 5 April 2010| deadurl= yes| df= dmy-all}}</ref>
|}

==Former operations==

===Subsidiaries===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
| '''[[Sky México]]''' (41.3%) – with [[Liberty Media]] and [[Grupo Televisa]]<br>Operating company for Sky pay-television service in Mexico. Sold their stake to [[DirecTV]]
|-
| '''[[Sky Brasil]]''' (80%) – with [[Liberty Media]] and [[Grupo Televisa]]<br>Operating company for Sky pay-television service in Brazil. Sold their stake to [[DirecTV]]
|-
| '''[[Japan Sky Broadcasting]]''' (JSkyB) – with [[SoftBank Corp.]]<br>Operating company for Sky pay-television service in Japan. Sold to [[DirecTV]] and later absored into [[SKY PerfecTV!]]
|-
| '''[[ITV plc]]''' (6.4%)<br>[[United Kingdom|British]] media company in the United Kingdom. Sold to [[Liberty Global]]
|}

===Ventures===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
| [[Australian News Channel|Australian News Channel Pty Limited]] (33.3%)<ref name="annrep2009" /> – with [[Seven Network]] and [[Nine Entertainment Co.]] and operated [[Sky News Australia]]. Sold to [[News Corp Australia]]
|-
| [[Beamly]] (10%) – Sold to [[Coty, Inc.]]
|}

===Stake in ITV===
[[ITV plc]] has been the subject of a flurry of rumoured take-over and merger bids since it was formed. For example, on 9 November 2006, [[NTL:Telewest|NTL]] announced that it had approached ITV plc about a proposed merger.<ref>{{Cite press release
|title = Ntl Incorporated Discussions with ITV plc
|publisher = [[NTL:Telewest|NTL]]
|date = 9 November 2006
|url = http://www.ntl.com/mediacentre/press/display.asp?id=874
|accessdate = 6 December 2006
|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20061113134817/http://www.ntl.com/mediacentre/press/display.asp?id=874
|archivedate = 13 November 2006
|deadurl = yes
|df = dmy-all
}}</ref><ref>{{Cite press release
|title = ITV and NTL 'in merger talks'
|publisher = ITV plc
|date = 9 November 2006
|url = http://www.itvplc.com/itv/news/releases/pr2006/2006-11-09/
|accessdate = 6 December 2006
|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20061130073001/http://www.itvplc.com/itv/news/releases/pr2006/2006-11-09/
|archivedate = 30 November 2006
|deadurl = yes
|df = dmy-all
}}</ref> The merger was effectively blocked by BSkyB on 17 November 2006 when it controversially bought a 17.9% stake in ITV plc for £940&nbsp;million,<ref>{{Cite news
| last = Welsh
| first = James
| title = Sky buys 17.9% of ITV
| publisher=[[Digital Spy]]
| date = 17 November 2006
| url = http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/article/ds39556.html
| accessdate =6 December 2006 }}</ref> a move that attracted anger from NTL shareholder [[Richard Branson]]<ref>{{Cite news
| last = Wilkes
| first = Neil
| title = Sky/ITV: Branson statement in full
| publisher=[[Digital Spy]]
| date = 20 November 2006
| url = http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/article/ds39642.html
| accessdate =6 December 2006 }}</ref> and an investigation from media and telecoms regulator [[Ofcom]].<ref>{{Cite news
| last = Welsh
| first = James
| title = Ofcom examines impact of Sky's ITV stake
| publisher=[[Digital Spy]]
| date = 21 November 2006
| url = http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/article/ds39694.html
| accessdate =6 December 2006 | archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20061127204411/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/article/ds39694.html| archivedate= 27 November 2006 | deadurl= no}}</ref> On 6 December 2006, NTL announced that it had complained to the [[Office of Fair Trading]] about BSkyB's move. NTL stated that it had withdrawn its attempt to buy ITV plc, citing that it did not believe that there was any possibility to make a deal on favourable terms.<ref>{{Cite news
| last = Oatts
| first = Joanne
| title = NTL complains about Sky as it drops plans for ITV Ofcom
| publisher=[[Digital Spy]]
| date = 6 December 2006
| url = http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/article/ds40409.html
| accessdate =6 December 2006 }}</ref> On 17 July 2014, BSkyB's 6.4% stake in ITV was sold to [[Liberty Global]], valued at £481&nbsp;million.<ref>{{cite web|last=Clover |first=Julian |url=http://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2014/07/17/liberty-global-makes-481m-investment-in-itv/ |title=Liberty Global makes £481m investment in ITV |publisher=Broadband TV News |date=17 July 2014 |accessdate=17 July 2014}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Sky UK]]
* [[Sky Ireland]]
* [[Sky Deutschland]]
* [[Sky Italia]]
* [[Sky España]]
* [[Amstrad]]
* [[The Cloud (company)|The Cloud]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* [http://corporate.sky.com/ Sky official website]
* {{OpenCorp|British Sky Broadcasting}}

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[[Category:Sky Ltd| ]]
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Latest revision as of 21:58, 12 November 2018

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