UK telecommunications company Sky is considering the future of its news channel, threatening to shut it down if it proves to be an obstacle in a take over bid from 21st Century Fox.

Regulators are investigating the deal amid concerns that Rupert Murdoch’s media empire, which already encompasses the US-based mass media firm and News Corporation, could become too powerful.

However, Sky told the Competition and Markets Authority that it shouldn’t assume “the continued provision” of the news channel.

21st Century Fox already owns 39% of Sky but wants full control of the satellite broadcaster.

Many fear that the takeover would give Murdoch and his family too much control over the UK media, with only the BBC and ITN having a larger total reach.

The Murdoch family owns controlling stakes in both News Corp, which owns wide-circulating UK newspapers such as the Sun and the Times, as well as Fox, which operates in film and TV.