ITV has reportedly been holding “early-stage talks” with RedBird IMI about merging their production businesses.
That would mean bringing together ITV Studios and All3Media, creating one of the largest production operations in the world.
The broadcaster’s share price has risen since Reuters first reported the story, which it said had been based on conversations with “two people with knowledge of the situation.”
RedBird IMI is the US and UAE-backed investment group which has already acquired All3Media for £1.15bn. That was its biggest investment to date and means it now owns 50 production labels, including Lime Pictures, Studio Lambert, Raw, Two Brothers and Neal Street Productions.
READ MORE – Lime Pictures parent company acquired by RedBird IMI for £1.15bn
Reuters said that its anonymous sources said that it was at an early stage and may not lead to a deal. It’s believed that one of the options on the table would be for ITV to separate its Studios and Broadcast businesses and create a new Studios entity jointly owned by RedBird IMI and ITV.
Back in 2023, before All3Media was owned by the investment company, ITV admitted that it was “actively exploring” its acquisition. Then All3Media was jointly owned by Warner Bros. Discovery and Liberty Global.
ITV Studios is home to 60 production labels in 12 countries, producing the likes of Fool Me Once and The Voice and owning labels such as Quay Street Productions.
There has been no official comment from either party.
RedBird IMI is a joint venture between RedBird Capital Partners (25%) and International Media Investments (75%). It also owns Skydance Media and Artists Equity. IMI is controlled by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan – who owns Manchester City.
