---
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"
date: 2025-11-07
canonical: "https://www.share-talk.com/itv-shares-surge-18-on-talks-to-sell-broadcasting-arm-to-sky/"
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"]
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"
---

# ITV shares surge 18% on talks to sell broadcasting arm to Sky

**Published:** November 7, 2025
**Author:** sharetalk
**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)

---

**ITV plc** shares **soared 18% in early London trading** after the broadcaster **confirmed discussions with Sky** regarding the potential **sale of its broadcasting operations**.

The 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.

Investors 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.

#### **ITV confirms talks with Sky over £1.6bn sale of media and entertainment arm**

**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.

In a statement to the **London Stock Exchange** this morning, ITV said:

> “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.”

The broadcaster cautioned that a deal was **not guaranteed**, adding:

> “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.”

The 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.

The 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**.

ITV 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**.

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