ITV Broadcasting Arm Sold
ITV Sells Broadcasting Arm to Sky for £1.6bn, Strengthening Streaming Competition
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ITV has agreed to sell its broadcasting arm to Sky for up to £1.6 billion, according to ITV. The deal covers the ITVX streaming platform and ITV's free-to-air channels. It creates a major new British rival to global streaming giants like Netflix and Disney+.
The sale does not include ITV Studios, the production company behind hit shows such as I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! and Mr Bates vs The Post Office. ITV Studios will remain a separate business, ITV confirmed.
What Sky Is Actually Buying in This Deal
Sky is acquiring ITV's media and entertainment business. That includes ITVX, the UK's most-watched free streaming service, plus ITV's family of linear channels. Those channels include ITV1, ITV2, ITV3, ITV4, and ITVBe, according to ITV.
The price could reach £1.6 billion depending on performance targets being met. Sky, which is owned by US media giant Comcast, already operates Now TV and Sky Go in the UK. Adding ITVX would give it a much larger free-to-air audience.
ITV Studios Stays Put — and Here Is Why
ITV is keeping its Studios arm out of the deal. ITV Studios makes some of Britain's biggest shows. Its hits include Love Island, I'm A Celebrity, and The Chase. The division also sells programmes to broadcasters around the world.
By holding on to Studios, ITV keeps a steady stream of global revenue. Content production is seen as the most valuable long-term asset in the media business. Selling the channels but keeping the factory that makes the shows is a deliberate split strategy.
A New British Streaming Giant Takes Shape
The combined Sky-ITV broadcasting business would reach tens of millions of UK viewers. Sky has around 10 million UK customers. ITVX had over 40 million registered users as of last year. Together, they would form one of the largest TV platforms in Britain.
The deal is designed to take on Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+ on home turf. Those US giants have eaten into British TV viewing for years. A merged Sky-ITVX platform gives British broadcasters a stronger base to fight back, according to ITV.
What Happens Next Before the Deal Is Done
The sale still needs approval from regulators. UK media deals of this size are reviewed by the Competition and Markets Authority. Regulators will look at whether combining Sky and ITVX harms competition for British viewers.
Both companies say they expect the deal to close in the second half of 2025. Until regulators sign off, ITV and Sky will continue to operate as separate businesses. The final price paid will depend on how well the business performs before completion, ITV said.
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