{"id":129029,"title":"ITV shares surge 18% on talks to sell broadcasting arm to Sky","publisher":"Share Talk","author":"sharetalk","published":"2025-11-07T08:20:06+00:00","modified":"2025-11-07T08:20:06+00:00","canonical_url":"https://www.share-talk.com/itv-shares-surge-18-on-talks-to-sell-broadcasting-arm-to-sky/","markdown_url":"https://www.share-talk.com/itv-shares-surge-18-on-talks-to-sell-broadcasting-arm-to-sky.md","json_url":"https://www.share-talk.com/itv-shares-surge-18-on-talks-to-sell-broadcasting-arm-to-sky.json","category":"B2B","categories":["B2B","Blogs","Business & Support Services","Technology","Technology, Media & Telecoms"],"tags":["BBC","BritBox","BRITISH","Captain Pugwash","Carlyn McCall","Comcast","Dad's Army","FTSE 250","ITV","ITV plc","ITV Studios","London","London Stock Exchange","Media & Entertainment","Reemah Sakaan","Sky","Thunderbirds"],"featured_image":"https://i0.wp.com/www.share-talk.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/ITV-7-NOV-scaled.webp?fit=1200%2C800&quality=80&ssl=1","format":"news","language":"en-GB","content":"**ITV plc** shares **soared 18% in early London trading** after the broadcaster **confirmed discussions with Sky** regarding the potential **sale of its broadcasting operations**.\n\nThe stock jumped to **80p**, up from **67.7p** at Thursday’s close, making it the **top performer on the FTSE 250** and lifting ITV’s **market capitalisation to around £3 billion**, up from **just over £2.5 billion** last night.\n\nInvestors reacted strongly to the confirmation of the talks, which follow reports that **Sky’s parent company Comcast** is exploring ways to **combine ITV’s media assets with Sky’s UK operations** to create a more competitive domestic streaming and broadcasting platform.\n\n#### **ITV confirms talks with Sky over £1.6bn sale of media and entertainment arm**\n\n**ITV plc** has confirmed it is in **preliminary discussions** with **Sky** over the potential **sale of its Media & Entertainment (M&E) division** for an **enterprise value of around £1.6 billion**, following widespread press speculation overnight.\n\nIn a statement to the **London Stock Exchange** this morning, ITV said:\n\n> “ITV plc notes the recent press speculation and confirms that it is in preliminary discussions regarding a possible sale of its M&E business to Sky for an enterprise value of £1.6 billion.”\n\nThe broadcaster cautioned that a deal was **not guaranteed**, adding:\n\n> “There can be no certainty as to the terms upon which any potential sale may be agreed or whether any transaction will take place. A further announcement will be made in due course if appropriate.”\n\nThe confirmation follows reports that **Comcast**, Sky’s parent company, is exploring the acquisition of ITV’s **broadcasting and production operations** in a move that could **reshape the British television industry** and strengthen Sky’s position against global streaming rivals.\n\nThe update came just hours after ITV announced plans to **temporarily cut £35 million from its budgets**, citing a **weak macroeconomic backdrop** and **advertiser uncertainty** ahead of the Government’s forthcoming **Budget**.\n\nITV also warned that **advertising revenue**, which still accounts for the majority of its income, is expected to **fall 9% during the crucial fourth quarter**, which includes the key **Christmas trading period**."}