ITV has confirmed it is to sell DTT multiplex operator SDN as part of a range of measures designed to improve the balance sheet of the commercial broadcaster.
A spokeswoman for ITV told Broadband TV News that an investment bank would now be appointed to handle the sale, most probably UBS or Lazard.
SDN was purchased in April 2005 for £134 million (€150m) from a consortium of United Business Media and S4C. NTL Broadcast, which later became part of Arqiva, was also a shareholder.
As the operator of Multiplex A, SDN is responsible for the carriage of channels on the Freeview platform including Five, QVC, CNN. It also provides capacity for the Top Up TV pay operation.
ITV has also announced that its executive chairman Michael Grade is to reduce his role at the conclusion of the current regulatory reviews. Grade will become non-executive chairman and a new CEO appointed.
About Julian Clover
"In an industry that experiences rapid change and often a confusing subsequent
constant supply of news, it is often refreshing to read an insightful perspective. Broadband
TV News and its editorial team regularly provide a context and
helpful analysis to breaking news.”
Broadband TV News is the must-read publication for those working in the Business of the Multiscreen Television. We deliver news, insight and data direct to your desktop. As well as our constantly updated website you can sign-up to our Daily and Weekly email bulletins. 
Connected TV Forecasts NEW REPORT. The number of TV sets connected to the Internet will reach 551 million by 2016 for the 40 countries covered in this report from Digital TV Research, up from 124 million at end-2010. The report states that this translates to 20% of global TV sets by 2016, up from only 6% at end-2010. Published in November 2011, this 83-page PDF report is the most geographically comprehensive to ever be published.