About
Building the future of British television
British television is one of the UK’s greatest creative successes. For generations, it has produced world-class storytelling and trusted journalism, and broadcast some of the country's most memorable sporting moments.
But the industry has changed. Streaming has transformed the way audiences discover and enjoy television. Global technology companies are investing at unprecedented scale to compete for audiences and advertising revenue. Viewers now expect outstanding content alongside a brilliant viewing experience. This has changed the economics of commercial broadcasting.
Ofcom recently warned that unless things change “the very existence of the public service broadcasters will be threatened”. To back the British TV we all love, we need to do things differently.
That’s why Sky has agreed to acquire ITV Media and Entertainment. Together, Sky and ITV will have the ambition, scale and resources to keep investing to create world-class British content and an enhanced streaming experience, for everyone.
Securing the future of commercial public service broadcasting
Public service broadcasting is one of the UK’s strengths. This transaction protects the public service TV viewers value, by creating stronger foundations for the future. It will build a stronger model for commercial public service broadcasting – one that will enable us to compete more effectively with the global players, while continuing to serve audiences across the UK.
Millions of people will continue to enjoy trusted news, great British storytelling, historic sporting moments and programmes that reflect every part of the UK, free-to-air. ITV will stay ITV. It will remain free-to-air. Its public service broadcasting commitments will continue in full. ITV News and Sky News will remain distinct editorial voices, maintaining choice and plurality in news.
The public service broadcasting commitments guarantee free, universal access to national and regional programming, current affairs, and diverse UK content in prime time. The licence mandates substantial news output with rigorous accuracy and impartiality standards, alongside significant peak-time obligations for current affairs.
Quotas enforce commitments to maintaining the equivalent of:
25% of qualifying programmes from independent producers
35% of UK-commissioned content made outside London
85% of peak-time output must be original programming
These quotas sustain UK production at scale. The PSB licence also covers accessibility requirements, such as subtitling, signing, and audio description.
Backing British creativity
The UK's creative industries are among the best in the world. Their success depends on creative ambition, long-term investment and rich opportunities for programme makers across the country. Together, Sky and ITV will continue to commission ambitious British drama, entertainment, documentaries, comedy and factual programming, and invest in sports and news coverage.
We'll commission widely from independent producers across the UK, supporting thousands of writers, producers, directors, production crews and creative businesses. We've agreed a long-term content partnership with ITV Studios, to secure the future of some of Britain's best-loved programmes, like Coronation Street, Emmerdale, Loose Women, This Morning, Lorraine, Love Island and more.
ITV Studios' productions will not count towards ITV's independent production quota, so independent producers will continue to enjoy significant commissioning opportunities. The combined business will keep investing in British content and creativity, supporting jobs, building skills and strengthening one of Britain’s most important creative industries. Because this isn’t simply about brining two business together. It’s about backing the British TV we love.
A commercial streaming champion for the UK
Great television demands a great viewing experience. We know streaming is the future of TV. For years, we’ve been working to bring Sky customers the best streaming experience, built on world-class technology. Together, Sky and ITV would account for around 20% of in-home viewing. We aim to build a commercial streaming champion for the UK, combining free-to-air broadcasting, advertising-funded streaming and subscription television. Our ambition is to do better for every viewer and every customer, all the time.
Why Sky can uniquely do this
Sky has spent decades investing in British creativity, content and connectivity. Sky is already a public service broadcaster, sharing Sky News, Sky Arts and Sky Mix free-to-air, which makes us uniquely qualified to develop a new model for commercial public service broadcasting.
Today, we employ around 20,000 people across the UK and invest hundreds of millions of pounds every year in UK-made content. Over the past 10 years, we have invested £18 billion in UK sports rights. We are investing £3 billion in Sky Studios Elstree. Combined with ITV's unique public service role and unrivalled free-to-air reach, we will be even stronger.
From production to studios, from creative talent to connectivity, we’ll keep investing in the people and infrastructure that make the UK one of the world’s top destinations for creativity, production and innovation.
