Sky's ITV Bid Leaves Industry Perplexed, But There's Logic To Deal

Uncertainty over ITV ‘s future has been one of the dominant themes of 2025. Famed for launching Downton Abbe y, the network has been courting sale interest for well over a year, but for all the industry chatter and press speculation, ITV’s silence has been stony. That all changed on Friday, when the UK broadcaster dropped a bombshell worthy of Love Island : a buyer has entered the villa.

In a 70-word statement, ITV told shareholders that Comcast -owned Sky has made a £1.6B ($2.1B) bid for its media and entertainment division, which houses its TV networks and streaming service. If a deal is completed — and it remains an if — then ITV will be split in two, with shareholders retaining control of ITV Studios, the production and distribution unit behind shows including Fool Me Once