Britain asks regulator to investigate Sky takeover by Murdoch's Fox

LONDON, March 16 (Reuters) - The British government said on Thursday it would refer Rupert Murdoch's planned takeover of European pay-TV group Sky (Frankfurt: 893517 - news) to regulators to decide if the deal was in the public interest.

Murdoch's U.S. TV business Twenty-First Century Fox , which own 39 percent of Sky, notified the European Commission of its 11.7 billion pound ($14.3 billion) bid earlier this month, opening a window for Britain to intervene.

Media Secretary Karen Bradley told parliament it was important and wholly appropriate to seek advice from the regulator Ofcom on whether the deal would give Murdoch and his companies too much control of Britain's media, and whether the new owner would be committed to broadcasting standards. (Reporting by Paul Sandle; editing by Kate Holton)