# ITV ad slump deepens amid £1.6bn Sky deal probe

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/itv-ad-slump-deepens-amid-1-6bn-sky-deal-probe/
- Published: 2026-11-11T07:27:25+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-11T08:39:49+00:00
- Original publisher: City AM (publisher lean: Right)
- Original article: https://www.cityam.com/itv-ad-slump-deepens-amid-1-6bn-sky-deal-probe/
- Topics: Business, Government, Markets, Politics

## Key points

- ITV’s third-quarter advertising revenue fell 8%.
- The broadcaster plans £30m in additional savings.
- Regulators are investigating Sky’s proposed £1.6bn acquisition.

## Summary

ITV has reported a steeper than forecast fall in advertising revenue and plans £30m in additional savings, as economic uncertainty, streaming competition and advertising restrictions weigh on demand. The downturn adds pressure as the government investigates Sky’s proposed £1.6bn purchase of ITV’s broadcasting and streaming operations, citing concerns about media plurality and editorial independence.

Advertising revenue fell 8% in the third quarter, compared with ITV’s previous forecast of a 5% decline. The company expects a 5% to 10% fall in the final quarter and a 2% to 3% decline for the full year, with £25m to be cut from fourth-quarter programming and £5m from discretionary spending. ITV says the sale remains on track to complete in the second half of 2027; regulators must report by 27 January on the deal, which could give the combined broadcasters around 86% of Britain’s linear news and current affairs viewing.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.