Sky and ITV respond to Public Interest Intervention Notice on proposed acquisition of ITV Media & Entertainment

The Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport has issued a Public Interest Intervention Notice (PIIN) in relation to Sky’s proposed acquisition of ITV’s Media & Entertainment business from ITV plc. The review will consider four public interest issues: freedom of expression in news media, plurality of news views, plurality of media ownership, and the availability of a wide range of high-quality broadcasting and on-demand programmes across the UK.

The decision initiates a formal review, with Ofcom asked to report on the public interest considerations identified by the Secretary of State and the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) on competition issues. Sky and ITV look forward to engaging constructively with the process and remain confident that the deal will strengthen British broadcasting and deliver significant benefits for audiences.

Strengthening the future of British broadcasting

The UK media market has changed fundamentally. Audiences have more choice than ever before, while British broadcasters face growing competition from global streaming and technology platforms. 

Declining linear television viewing and advertising revenues are also putting increasing pressure on commercial public service broadcasting. Bringing Sky and ITV Media & Entertainment together would create a stronger, more resilient British media business, better equipped to compete in this changed market.

The transaction would combine Sky's technology, investment and streaming expertise with ITV's free-to-air broadcasting, programming and advertising-funded streaming services. Together, the businesses would be better positioned to sustain investment in British content, trusted news and sport. 

Protecting what audiences value about ITV

Sky has already made clear commitments to protect ITV's identity, public service broadcasting obligations and independent news, while delivering additional benefits for viewers and the UK's creative industries.

These include:

• ITV's identity and services: ITV will retain its brands, channels and broadcasting licences. Its free-to-air channels will remain free-to-air, and ITVX will continue to offer a free streaming service.
• Public service broadcasting: ITV's existing obligations, including national and regional news, will be maintained in full under its Channel 3 licences, which run until 2034.
• Independent news: Sky News and ITV News will remain distinct editorial voices. ITV News will continue to be produced by ITN under its existing agreement to 2031, with an option to extend.
• British programming: A five-year, £2.1 billion content supply agreement with ITV Studios will provide long-term certainty for some of Britain's best-loved programmes, including Coronation Street, Emmerdale, Love Island, I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!, This Morning, Loose Women and Lorraine. These fan favourites will remain available free-to-air on ITV, while programming supplied under the agreement will not count towards ITV's independent production quota.
• Sport and streaming: Sky has committed to bringing more free-to-air sport to ITV than ever before and using its technology and expertise to enhance ITVX.

What happens next?
Ofcom and the CMA will report their findings to the Secretary of State as part of the statutory review process by 27 January 2027.
Sky and ITV will continue to operate independently while the transaction undergoes regulatory review.