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ITV Denies Sale Talks Stall Amid Sky Negotiations
5 Mar
Summary
- ITV CEO refutes reports of stalled sale negotiations with Sky.
- Company confident in ITV Studios' scale post-Banijay-All3 merger.
- New ownership at Paramount creates fresh commissioning opportunities.
ITV's CEO, Carolyn McCall, has explicitly refuted claims that discussions concerning the potential sale of its Media & Entertainment business to Sky have lost momentum. She confirmed on Thursday that both entities are "actively engaged," directly answering "No" when questioned about a stall in talks. These comments were made following ITV's full-year 2025 financial results announcement.
McCall dismissed concerns about the impact of the recent $8 billion Banijay-All3 merger on ITV Studios. She emphasized ITV Studios' scale, stating it is approximately two and a half times the size of All3Media. ITV CFO Chris Kennedy further clarified that All3Media is only one-third the size of ITV Studios, underscoring its global standing.
Regarding the competitive landscape, McCall asserted that the Banijay-All3 merger does not diminish ITV Studios' position. She pointed to its top-three market share in every operating region and a scripted portfolio now comprising 30% of output. Studios revenue has also seen over 40% growth since her tenure began.
McCall acknowledged the Banijay-All3 entity would be larger but stressed that creative talent and labels are more crucial than sheer size. ITV plans to remain disciplined in its M&A strategy, prioritizing value. ITV Studios operates across 13 markets with 60 production companies and licenses content to over 350 clients globally.
On industry consolidation, McCall noted ITV maintains strong relationships with Warner Bros. Discovery and Paramount. She indicated that Paramount's recent ownership stability has opened new commissioning avenues, allowing for increased collaboration.
