Play Video Few media alternatives that Comcast could purchase, analyst says
Comcast has acquired more than 30 percent of Sky shares, the company said Tuesday, following its triumph over Fox at a weekend takeover auction.
The firm now owns a total of almost 516 million shares of Sky, according to an official statement from the London Stock Exchange. It says it will continue to make further purchases of Sky shares at a price of £17.28 ($22.60) per share.
"Comcast Bidco will continue to acquire Sky Shares in the market from eligible shareholders outside the United States at up to and including £17.28 in cash for each Sky Share," the statement said.
Comcast Bidco is an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Comcast Corp.
Comcast CEO Brian Roberts
Comcast said eligible shareholders outside the United States interested in selling their stake in Sky should contact brokerage Bank of America Merrill Lynch.
Comcast prevailed over Twenty-First Century Fox after a protracted bidding battle, which was drawn to a close on Saturday in a showdown that saw Comcast make a takeover offer of about $40 billion for Sky.
Fox, which is itself set to be bought by Disney, is currently the biggest shareholder in Sky, owning 39 percent of the company. Sources told CNBC that Fox may sell its stake in Sky to Comcast in return for the latter's 30 percent ownership of TV streaming platform Hulu.
Play Video Comcast's overpaying for Sky, says media analyst 
On Monday, The Sky Independent Committee recommended that its shareholders accept the offer from Comcast "'immediately" as it was in the best interest of the company.
"As the price of the Comcast Offer is materially superior, it is in the best interests of all Sky shareholders to accept the Comcast Offer," the committee said.
Analysts told CNBC that U.K. pay-TV provider Sky is seen by Comcast as a valuable asset due to its European exposure and strength in digital media and sports programming. Sky owns TV streaming company Now TV and holds the rights to broadcast Premier League soccer games.
—Disclosure: Comcast is the owner of NBCUniversal, parent company of CNBC and CNBC.com.
