Digital ad revenue at ITV expands, driven by progress in Studios division
Holy Shit, ITV's Kickin' Ass in 2025!
It's clear as day that ITV's digital division is on fire this year, skyrocketing 15% over the previous year, blowing away the competition! This phenomenon can be attributed to the success of its streaming platform, ITVX, which experienced a whopping 12% increase in streaming hours during the first quarter. And the digital revenues? They're climbing up the charts too, rising a solid 10%.
The boss lady, Carolyn McCall, ain't messin' around. She confidently declared, "Our Q1 performance was on point, demonstrating the continued successful implementation of our strategic priorities. ITVX is killin' it, and we expect sustained growth in digital revenues."
A Streaming Bonanza for ITV Studios
The cherry on top? ITV Studios! External revenues shot up a staggering 20% thanks to the insatiable demand from global streaming titans like Netflix and Amazon. New shows like 'Run Away' for Netflix and 'The Better Sister' for Amazon were absolute knockouts.
All told, studios revenue grew a modest 1%, except for internal commissions, taking a 26% hit mainly due to the absence of 'Saturday Night Takeaway' starring Ant and Dec.
Overall, external revenue reached £756m, but total group revenue slipped by 1% to £875m, thanks to fewer internal productions.
The Rumor Mill's Spinnin'
In April, the grapevine lit up with rumors of a possible takeover of ITV by the French media firm, Banijay, best known for producing 'Masterchef'. But let's get real, talks are in the embryonic stages, and there's no guarantee a deal's gonna happen. Banijay's been eying large-scale mergers and acquisitions, hoping to boost its clout when it comes to serving the global streaming juggernauts like Netflix and Amazon[1][2][3][5].
Banijay's lined up, ready to drop some serious cash, especially if a full acquisition's on the table - a move that'd cost 'em around £3 billion[5]. ITV's heavyweight shareholder, Liberty Global, seems cool with management exploring options, opening the door for a potential sale[5]. But don't go poppin' the champagne just yet, neither Banijay nor ITV's dropped a peep about the whole thing, indicating discussions are still in diapers[5].
ITV's got its sights set on £750m in digital revenues by 2026, confident its hybrid model (mixing digital, linear, and production) ensures it's a force to be reckoned with, even in the face of economic headwinds[4].
In the digital realm, ITV's strategic focus on technology and content production is showcased by the envisioned £750m in digital revenues by 2026, aiming to sustain growth in both its streaming platform and overall business operations. The company's ambitious expansion plans extend to partnerships with global streaming giants like Netflix and Amazon, which have contributed to a significant 20% increase in external revenues for ITV Studios in 2025.
