UK broadcaster ITV has reported a “solid” performance in its first half of 2026 financial results, with the football World Cup driving a 3% growth in advertising despite “macro-economic headwinds”.
Overall, the company’s total group revenue rose 2% to £1.89bn from £1.85bn the previous year. Pretax profit increased 16% to £78m from £67m.
According to ITV, the Men’s Football World Cup drove the revenue growth. It added that the football tournament "attracted strong advertising and sponsorship demand from both UK and global brands across many advertising categories, and supercharged engagement on ITVX, which delivered record H1 viewing, up 27%, with digital."
ITV added it remained on track to deliver its full year guidance. It also said revenue and profit in its ITV Studios production would be weighted towards the second half of the year, reflecting a strong delivery schedule of shows.
The results come as ITV prepares to sell its broadcasting and streaming unit, ITV Media & Entertainment, to Sky’s parent company Comcast for £1.6bn. ITV stated it expects the Comcast deal to complete in the second half of 2027 and noted that the competition authority has begun a review of the sale process.
Carolyn McCall, Chief Executive of ITV, said: "ITV delivered a solid first-half performance and we remain on track to deliver our full-year guidance, including good revenue growth in ITV Studios and strong, profitable digital revenue growth within media and entertainment. Macro-economic headwinds remain, but we are focused on the performance of both businesses, with continued momentum and disciplined execution."
Adrian Pennington recently went behind the scenes on the FIFA World Cup 2026. Discover more here.
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