Sky confirms UK£1.6bn ITV takeover
Pair promise to deliver more FTA sport than ever through combined offering.
Getty Images
- Sky acquires ITV’s linear channels and the ITVX streaming service
- ITV Studios excluded from deal
- Combined business to account for around 20 per cent of UK in-home viewing
Pay-TV giant Sky has confirmed its UK£1.6 billion (US$2.1 billion) acquisition of free-to-air (FTA) commercial broadcaster ITV in a deal likely to have ramifications for the UK sports media landscape.
Sky first confirmed it was in preliminary talks to buy ITV’s media and entertainment business last November. A deal has now been finalised after several months of negotiations, creating what the pair described as a ‘commercial streaming champion’ for the UK.
Under the agreement, Sky will acquire ITV’s linear broadcasting and streaming business, which includes ITV1, ITV2, ITV3, ITV4 and ITVX. Those channels and services will continue to be available for free, with all public service broadcasting commitments to be met in full.
The deal also includes ITV subsidiary UTV but excludes Scotland’s STV, which is a separate company, and the ITV Studios production arm. Sky will also become an indirect 20 per cent shareholder in production firm ITN.
ITV reaches around 40 million people each week across its platforms and serves more than 16.5 million monthly digital users.
The two parties said the combined business would account for around 20 per cent of all UK in-home viewing, behind only public service broadcaster the BBC and ahead of YouTube. Sky chief executive Dana Strong anticipates the integrated streaming platform will have over 16 million viewers each month.
Sky and ITV also expect the acquisition will deliver UK£200 million (US$266.82 million) in annual cost savings through efficiencies in marketing, technology and non-UK content.
The transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2027 but remains subject to customary conditions and regulatory approvals.
Greater scrutiny of the agreement is expected amid concerns over potential job losses and questions around the dynamic between ITV News and Sky News. However, Sky said the move was necessary to compete with global streamers like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.
If confirmed, the two parties have promised to deliver more FTA sport on ITV than ever before. The commercial broadcaster’s rights portfolio includes the ongoing men’s 2026 Fifa World Cup and the women’s tournament in 2027, as well as Uefa Euro 2028 and other England soccer internationals.
ITV also shows rugby union’s Six Nations, the English Football League (EFL), Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) events and UK horse racing. Last week, it was reported that the broadcaster has secured rights to the 2027 men’s Rugby World Cup.
Meanwhile, Comcast-owned Sky is the dominant sports broadcaster in the UK, where it holds rights to the Premier League, Formula One, international cricket, the PGA Tour and the National Football League (NFL).
Details of increased FTA sports coverage were scarce. However, in theory, the move could allow Sky Sports to broadcast some of its sports content on ITV channels, offering wider reach to its partners and potentially helping to drive subscriptions.
Meanwhile, the deal would also enable Sky to create more flexible packages for advertisers across a wider array of platforms, potentially boosting its budget for live sports rights.
In a statement, Sky chief executive Strong described the acquisition as a “defining moment” for British media.
“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,” she added.
“ITV will remain a public service broadcaster at the heart of British life, and we’re excited about the future we can build together.”
The news comes days after Comcast announced plans to separate its content and broadcasting division from its cable and broadcast business, which will see Sky form part of a new NBCUniversal unit.
Combining richer content, in-depth data and exclusive community benefits, SportsPro+ is your VIP pass into the global sports industry. Discover more here.
