UK TV Trends

After a significant period of negotiation, Sky’s offer for ITV’s broadcast and streaming operations has been accepted, with consideration between £1.4 and £1.6 billion (the upside being a performance-related earn-out). Most of the payment will be cash, although it will also include Love Productions, makers of Bake Off, valued at £200 million.

From completion, ITV Studios will operate as a standalone business although a Content Supply Agreement with Sky will maintain a consistent flow of content, of around £420 million per year, which is similar to current levels (excl. sport), but with the potential of further upside.

Sky is making firm commitments on ITV's PSB remit and news provision and plurality. The most pressing issue in regulatory clearance will be defining the relevant ads market: a 'broadcaster-only' definition is an anachronism.

Service revenue growth improved to -0.6%, aided by price-increase mechanics, although this will reverse next quarter.

FinTech MVNO launches have been somewhat tentative thus far, and mobile speed-tiering looks set to become the norm.

O2 has stepped up its price aggressiveness in both SIM-only and with-handset unlimited tariffs and is now the price-leading operator brand in this popular segment.

The government has narrowed the options for DTT switch-off to two dates, but copious details remain undecided, with clarity likely to take some time to emerge.

The DTT spectrum could improve rural and deep in-building coverage considerably, with the focus likely to be on the readily-usable 600MHz band which will be freed up in 2035 under either scenario, and is particularly attractive for BT/EE.

The impact on the broadband market is harder to judge given multiple uncertainties, with there being a potential boost to broadband adoption, albeit price control is a threat. However, playing a more active role in TV distribution is an opportunity.