ITV in talks to sell broadcasting business to Sky Group

ITV in talks to sell broadcasting business to Sky Group

ITV plc said it is in preliminary talks with Comcast-owned Sky Group to sell ITV’s Media & Entertainment (M&E) division—its UK free-to-air TV channels and the ITVX streaming platform—in a deal valued around £1.6 billion (≈$2.1 bn), including debt. ITV stressed there is no certainty a transaction will be agreed.

ITV plc

Type: UK public media company (LSE; FTSE 250).
Sectors/industries: Broadcasting (ITV network), ad-funded streaming (ITVX), TV production (ITV Studios).
Main subsidiaries/units (examples): ITV Studios (global production group), ITV Broadcasting/ITV News Group, ITVX (AVOD/SVOD).

Sky Group

Type: UK-based media & telecommunications group; subsidiary of Comcast.
Sectors/industries: Pay-TV, broadband, mobile, news & sports channels, streaming (NOW); content production via Sky Studios.
Main subsidiaries/brands (examples): Sky UK, Sky Italia, Sky Studios, NOW, Sky News.

What’s included (and what’s not)

  • Included: ITV’s UK broadcasting arm (linear channels) + ITVX streaming.

  • Excluded: ITV Studios (the global production business) remains outside the talks.

Price & structure

Early reports indicate a headline value near £1.6 bn; scope and final structure are still being negotiated and could change.

Timeline & approvals

Any deal would require UK regulatory scrutiny (likely CMA and Ofcom) and could face public-interest review given the potential impact on the UK TV ad market. There is no announced timetable beyond early-stage discussions.

Market reaction & context

ITV shares jumped double-digits on the talks; the broadcaster has flagged continuing pressure in ad markets this year. Strategic focus has been to grow Studios while reducing reliance on advertising.

Why it matters

A sale would create a bigger Sky-anchored broadcast/streaming footprint in the UK while leaving ITV Studios as a pure-play content producer. Expect close review on competition and media plurality if negotiations advance.

IMPACT –

Sky + ITV’s broadcast/ITVX (if concluded) would be the UK’s biggest TV consolidation in years—while ITV Studios stands alone as a global production house.

Note: This is an in-talks situation as of November 9, 2025; figures and scope may change if a definitive

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