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The government decision on whether NewsCorp can go ahead to take full control of BSkyB, will take "some time", following the News of the World's closure.
Culture secretary Jeremy Hunt has said his department received a vast number of last-minute submissions on NewsCorp's plan to take control of the broadcaster.
A consultation on the takeover concluded today, the Department for Culture, Media (DCMS) said, but it would take "take some time" to assess the "volume of responses".
The culture secretary will also look into whether the closure of the Sunday publication will affect the deal and media plurality.
DCMS received an unprecedented 160,000 responses to the consulation process, as well as a written petition that they had been informed had 100,000 signatures.
The public reaction coincided with the reports this week that the News of the World had hacked into the phones of murder and terror victims.
Speaking at a press conference to announce two inquiries into the scandal this morning, the prime minister said that a final decision on the takeover would take "some time".
He said the culture secretary was following the "the proper legal processes and procedures".
A statement then followed from DCMS on behalf of Hunt. It said: "The consultation on undertakings in lieu offered by News Corporation in relation to their proposed merger with BSkyB closes at midday today.
"The secretary of state has always been clear that he will take as long as is needed to reach a decision.
"The secretary of state will consider carefully all the responses submitted and take advice from Ofcom and the Office of Fair Trading before reaching his decision.
"Given the volume of responses, we anticipate that this will take some time.
"He will consider all relevant factors including whether the announcement regarding the News of the World’s closure has any impact on the question of media plurality."
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