The CMA had not started its phase 1 investigation by 17 September 2026. Its case page still shows only the invitation to comment that ran from 23 July to 6 August.
Resolves on the CMA case page at gov.uk/cma-cases/sky-slash-itv-merger-inquiry, which records each step in the statutory timetable on the day it happens. YES if the timetable there records the launch of the Phase 1 merger inquiry, by notice to the parties, with a date on or before 17 September 2026. An updated invitation to comment, an initial enforcement order or a derogation does not count. If that source has not published in time, Reuters and the Financial Times settle it.
We found 29 merger cases like this one since May 2025. The CMA opened each with a call for public comments before it started the formal review. For each we asked the question the first market asks: did Phase 1 begin within 56 days of the case opening? Cases that started on the day they opened, or were less than 56 days old on 3 September 2026, are left out because they cannot answer it. The last eight are shown below.