# ITV brings forward £100m buyback ahead of Sky sale

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/itv-reveals-early-share-buyback-of-140m-before-sky-deal-completes-as-broadcaster-unveils-first-set-of-results-since-confirming-the-deal/
- Published: 2026-07-31T09:02:37+00:00
- Updated: 2026-07-31T15:12:27+00:00
- Original publisher: Deadline
- Original article: https://deadline.com/2026/07/itv-first-set-results-sky-deal-share-buyback-1237014292/
- Topics: Art, Business, Companies, Culture

## Key points

- ITV begins a £100 million early shareholder buyback.
- Sky deal remains subject to regulatory approval.
- ITV Studios faces mixed performance before independence.

## Summary

ITV has launched a £100 million share buyback, bringing forward part of the cash return expected from its planned £1.6 billion sale of its Media & Entertainment division to Sky. The move accompanies ITV’s first results since the deal was agreed and is intended to provide an earlier benefit for shareholders, while ITV Studios is set to become independent rather than being included in the sale.

The Sky transaction is expected to complete around mid-2027, subject to regulatory review, and ITV plans to maintain a 1.7p interim dividend worth £60 million. First-half revenue rose 2% to £1.9 billion; Media & Entertainment’s adjusted EBITDA increased 37% to £48 million, helped by World Cup-related advertising, while ITV Studios’ EBITDA fell 9% amid weaker US and international revenue. Sky has also committed £2.1 billion to ITV Studios content between 2028 and 2032, and Love Productions is expected to join ITV Studios.

## Coverage

- [Deadline: ITV brings forward £100m buyback ahead of Sky sale](https://deadline.com/2026/07/itv-first-set-results-sky-deal-share-buyback-1237014292/)
- [The Hollywood Reporter: ITV Bullish in First Results Since Confirming Sky Deal, Orders Share Buyback of $135M](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/itv-first-results-sky-deal-sharehold-buyback-studios-tv-1236660733/)

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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.