Hit reality shows I’m a Celebrity and Love Island could become pay-to-view if Sky’s £1.6bn takeover of ITV goes ahead, insiders warned.
A tie-up between the pay-TV giant and the free-to-air commercial broadcaster, designed to create a UK-based streamer to rival Netflix and Disney, could be finalised within weeks, figures involved in the discussions told The i Paper.
However industry sources said competition authorities would have to examine the deal, which could reduce the range of programmes on ITV and even see the channel become part of Sky’s paid-for subscription package.
Dan Coatsworth, head of markets at AJ Bell, said: “ITV’s channels are expected to remain free to watch until at least 2034 under public service broadcasting licence terms. Beyond that point is a big unknown.”
“Sky is a subscription-led business, and its model is to collect money from membership packages and from advertising. The more money it can bring in, the greater the war chest to buy in content such as more sports, TV shows and films. That suggests it wouldn’t want a free broadcast service indefinitely.”
