Talks between Sky and ITV over the potential sale of ITV’s Media and Entertainment division have slowed in recent weeks, according to sources cited by Reuters.
In November, ITV confirmed it was in discussions to sell its Media and Entertainment unit to Sky for £1.6 billion (€1.87 billion), in a move designed to create a top-three UK streaming player capable of competing with global platforms including Netflix, YouTube, Amazon Prime Video and Disney+.
However, three sources familiar with the matter told Reuters that engagement from Comcast – Sky’s US parent – has eased in recent weeks. Two of the sources said the slowdown was linked to wider industry disruption, including the ongoing battle for Warner Bros. Discovery, which has created strategic uncertainty across the sector.
Complications related to the proposed spin-out of ITV Studios, which produces a significant portion of ITV’s flagship programming, were also cited as a factor weighing on progress.
However, the sources contrast with a picture painted by the National Union of Journalists (NUJ), which in response to plans by Scottish broadcaster STV to change its news output said it “believes that the ITV/Comcast talks are at a much more advanced stage than has been made public”.
Spokespeople for ITV, Sky and Comcast declined to comment.
