Distribution & Consumption

ITV says sale talks with Sky for TV and streaming business are continuing

ITV has said it remains in discussions with Sky over the sale of its broadcasting and streaming business.

ITV confirmed in November 2025 that it was in early-stage discussions with Sky-parent Comcast over a £1.6bn sale of its media and entertainment arm.

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The company addressed the potential sale of the business to Sky in its full-year results for 2025. It stated: “Following our announcement in November 2025, we remain in discussions with Sky regarding a possible sale of the M&E business. There can be no certainty as to whether a transaction will take place and an update will be made in due course.”

On an earnings call this week, Carolyn McCall, Chief Executive of ITV, said the broadcaster is “actively engaged” with Sky.

The comments come after news last month that discussions had slowed.

ITV said its adjusted pre-tax profits for 2025 fell by 5% to £448m, which it described as a good performance in a “challenging market backdrop”. 

ITV revenues were broadly flat at £4.1bn for the year, with a 5% dip in its broadcast arm offset by a 5% rise in its ITV Studios production business. The production arm is expected to be retained as a standalone listed company if ITV’s media and entertainment division is sold.

McCall said the business had been boosted by strong growth from its ITVX streaming business, which it said had outperformed some rivals.

The UK free-to-air broadcaster said that it expected first-quarter advertising revenue to decline by 2%, a better performance than it had previously expected.

Comcast’s interest in ITV comes as Paramount finalises its acquisition of Warner Bros Discovery.

Both Comcast and Paramount are looking to build up streaming giants that can compete with Netflix, Amazon, and Disney.

Sky research recently found that the UK is capable of fully moving to internet-delivered TV in the 2030s – if the UK Government sets a clear timetable and invests in targeted help for those most at risk of digital exclusion. Discover more here.

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