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Sky agrees to acquire ITV Media and Entertainment
British television has changed dramatically. Viewers expect brilliant homegrown TV, an effortless viewing experience and seamless streaming. Global technology platforms continue to grow - investing billions to compete for attention and taking advertising revenue at an unprecedented scale.
For British television to continue to thrive, we need to do things differently. That’s why Sky has agreed to acquire ITV Media and Entertainment, subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals.
Together, Sky and ITV can build a stronger UK media business – a business that protects and strengthens commercially-funded public service broadcasting for generations to come and invests in the future of British storytelling, sports coverage and streaming.
Our commitments are simple
ITV’s channels and ITVX will remain free-to-air.
ITV’s public service broadcasting commitments will continue in full.
ITV News and Sky News will remain distinct editorial voices.
We’ll invest in more British content, more free-to-air sport and an enhanced streaming experience.
We’ll keep supporting the UK’s creative industries for the long term.
All this means every ITV viewer can enjoy the programmes they love, the news they trust and even more sport, free-to-air, for generations to come.
The transaction is subject to customary conditions, including regulatory approvals. ITV Studios is not included and will become an independent business.
"This is a defining moment for British media and an opportunity to build a stronger future for two of the UK's most loved and trusted brands. We have huge respect for the transformation the ITV team has delivered, particularly its successful move into streaming through ITVX, which has brought fantastic British content to millions of viewers across the UK. Bringing Sky and ITV Media & Entertainment together combines the very best of free-to-air television, pay TV and streaming, ensuring viewers across the UK continue to enjoy outstanding British programming in a rapidly changing world. ITV will remain a public service broadcaster at the heart of British life, and we’re excited about the future we can build together.”
Dana Strong CBE
CEO, Sky Group
“ITV has successfully evolved in a rapidly changing media landscape - launching, and scaling, ITVX and developing ITV Studios into a major force in the global content market. This transaction builds on that momentum to deliver clear, tangible value for shareholders. At the same time, through the commitments made by Sky, the combined ITV M&E / Sky business will continue to deliver everything about ITV that our viewers and advertisers love and value and our people are hugely proud of - making programmes that reflect and shape society, bringing people together for shared experiences and having the quality, diversity and plurality that are the hallmarks of our contribution to the UK’s creative industries. In addition, all of ITV’s PSB commitments, including regional and national news, are safeguarded under the terms of the Channel 3 Licences until 2034, which Sky is acquiring as part of the Transaction. I am also confident that Sky will be a strong and responsible custodian of ITV M&E, building on its heritage while investing in its future and safeguarding the qualities that make ITV so valued by viewers, advertisers and the UK's creative industries.”
Carolyn McCall DBE
Chief Executive Officer, ITV plc
Better for every viewer
ITV will remain free to watch, with more free-to-air sport than ever before, and an enhanced streaming service.
ITV stays free
ITV will remain free-to-air, both live and on-demand. All its public service broadcasting commitments will continue in full. Viewers will enjoy the programmes they know and love, plus more free-to-air sport than ever before on ITV.
News remains distinct
ITV News and Sky News will remain distinct editorial voices. They will maintain their trusted voices, offering viewers choice and protecting the plurality of our news. ITV’s trusted national and regional news will continue to play a vital role in ITV's public service mission.
Enhanced streaming for everyone
ITVX is already one of the UK’s leading streaming services, bringing great British programmes to millions of viewers. If approved, we’ll build on that success by bringing proven streaming technology, developed for millions of viewers across multiple international markets, to support the continued evolution of ITVX.
Better for the creative industries
British creativity is worth championing. We will invest in our creative industries, over the long-term. Together, Sky and ITV will still commission ambitious and original British drama, entertainment, documentaries, comedy and factual programming, and invest in sports and news coverage.
Through a £2.1 billion, five-year content supply agreement, we will partner with ITV Studios to keep making some of Britain’s best-loved programmes. This programming will not count towards ITV's independent production quota. This means we’ll continue to commission widely from independent producers across the UK, supporting thousands of writers, producers, directors, production crews and creative businesses.
Better for the UK
British broadcasting matters. The best homegrown TV informs us, entertains us and brings the country together through shared moments that matter. Together, ITV and Sky will create a stronger future for commercially-funded public service broadcasting, for generations to come. We’ll have the scale to compete in an increasingly global market, while serving viewers across the UK even better.
We’ll continue to invest in British content, skills and infrastructure. This will support jobs, strengthen one of the UK’s most important creative industries and drive economic growth.
