ITV Reports Q1 Growth in Studios as Sky Sale Talks Continue
ITV said studios revenue rose 4% as digital growth offset weaker advertising while it stays in talks with Sky over a possible M&E sale.
- On Thursday, British broadcaster ITV reported first-quarter results and confirmed it remains in 'active discussions' with Comcast-owned Sky regarding a potential £1.6 billion sale of its Media & Entertainment division.
- Talks regarding the proposed sale were first revealed in November 2025, though industry expert Dan Coatsworth, head of markets at AJ Bell, said discussions were 'dragging on' due to disagreement about price.
- ITV Studios revenue grew 4 percent to £400 million in the first quarter, while M&E revenue fell 2 percent to £477 million despite 12 percent growth in digital advertising revenue.
- Chief Executive Carolyn McCall expects total advertising revenue to rise around 10 percent in the second quarter, anticipating a 'strong' July driven by significant advertiser demand surrounding the men's soccer World Cup.
- Any completed transaction requires regulatory approval from Ofcom and the Competition Markets Authority; if the deal proceeds, ITV Studios would continue as a standalone entity while Comcast expands its European footprint.
21 Articles
21 Articles
Clacton Gazette
ITV hopes for World Cup boost as it remains in ‘active’ talks over Sky TV deal
The broadcaster is said to be close to finalising a deal to sell its media and entertainment division to Sky.
ITV Still in "Active Discussions" With Sky Over Sale
ITV is still in “active discussions” with Sky over a sale of its network to the pay-TV giant. The UK’s oldest commercial broadcaster has been quiet over the deal in recent months but used a Q1 trading update to note its position this morning. It said it will “update the market in due course.” ITV first confirmed “preliminary discussions” with Comcast-owned Sky in November last year over a shock £1.6B ($2.2B) sale of its Media & Entertainment…
ITV Remains in “Active” Deal Talks With Sky as It Posts Ad Drop, 4 Percent Studios Revenue Gain
The U.K. TV giant, led by CEO Carolyn McCall, is "monitoring the ongoing difficult geopolitical environment," but remains "on track to deliver our full-year guidance."
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