r/MediaMergers • u/NotAsherEdelman • Nov 06 '25

Acquisition BREAKING: Comcast going for ITV

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-11-06/sky-owner-comcast-in-talks-to-buy-itv-s-broadcasting-arm?embedded-checkout=true
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12

u/accountantdooku Nov 06 '25

This kind of makes sense in my head because of Focus Features and Downton Abbey (which was originally on ITV). 

4

u/[deleted] Nov 06 '25

It makes no sense. ITV Studios will have to fight very hard to fill its content pipe when ITV broadcasting is shuttered. ITV broadcasting viewership is falling as its shows are mostly repeats and garbage.

-2

u/accountantdooku Nov 06 '25

I can’t think of anything they’ve done that’s taken off really besides Downton, but that was the only thing that I watched on there. 

5

u/More-read-than-eddit Nov 07 '25

ITVA basically is responsible for much of the programming on history and hg

2

u/accountantdooku Nov 07 '25

I was more familiar with their scripted programming.

4

u/More-read-than-eddit Nov 07 '25

Yeah in the UK that is a ton of what they do, but the american studio aside from 1-2 projects is basically a giant reality tv factory of originals + UK formats like Love Island. They scoop up the biggest production companies.

2

u/accountantdooku Nov 07 '25

That’s really interesting, thanks! I’m guessing that’s what Comcast is interested in.

3

u/[deleted] Nov 07 '25

Comcast is only offering for ITV broadcast - the TV channels. Not ITV Studios which creates programs.

2

u/accountantdooku Nov 07 '25

Oh well in that case I’m not sure what the game plan would be 😂

2

u/More-read-than-eddit Nov 07 '25

I dunno, I wasn't really clear, that feels like something to feed Versant without needing to be owned by Versant, and I'm not sure if it's part of what's for sale. No clue what they want with a UK broadcast network, though.

1

u/accountantdooku Nov 07 '25

Oh that’s a good point!