Potential suitors eye bid for ITV

Citing TV industry sources, Sky News said that CVC Capital Partners and France’s Groupe TF1 were among those mulling a bid.

Sky added that UK-based group All3Media and Paris-based group Mediawan are also on the list of potential suitors for ITV Studios production arm.

Citing one source, Sky News said that work on bids is not yet advanced enough to require a disclosure under UK stock market rules.

ITV Chief Executive Dame Carolyn McCall was also reported to have discussed with the company's financial advisers the merits of a demerger or other form of separation of its two main business units.

Sky said that under one possible plan being studied could see CVC interested in acquiring ITV Studios, with a European broadcast partner taking over its broadcasting arm which includes terrestrial channel ITV1 and streaming platform ITVX.

ITV Studios produces hit shows including Mr Bates versus The Post Office and I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here!  and Disney+’s Rivals.