Sky ITV Deal Could Secure Coronation Street and Emmerdale for Years

Reports from Deadline, Variety, Business Matters, The Sunday Times and other industry outlets suggest Sky and ITV are moving closer than ever to completing a major broadcasting deal that could reshape the UK television landscape.

While regulators still have their say, one detail has caught the attention of soap viewers: a reported £2 billion commitment to ITV Studios over the next five years.

For Coronation Street and Emmerdale viewers, that figure could prove one of the most significant aspects of the entire deal.

What Has Been Reported?

According to reports from Deadline, Variety, Business Matters, The Sunday Times, IBC and other industry outlets, Sky has agreed terms to acquire ITV’s Media and Entertainment division, including ITV’s broadcast channels and streaming platform ITVX.

ITV Studios, however, is expected to remain a separate publicly listed company.

That distinction matters. According to reports from Deadline, Variety, Business Matters and The Sunday Times, ITV Studios would continue operating independently while benefiting from a reported £2 billion commissioning commitment from Sky spread across five years.

The arrangement would cover programming produced by ITV Studios, including some of the broadcaster’s biggest and most recognisable brands.

Industry reports suggest the deal could be formally announced in the coming weeks, although neither ITV nor Sky has publicly confirmed a timetable.

The Financial Commitment

The reported £2 billion commitment is arguably the most important element of the proposed transaction for programme makers.

Rather than simply separating ITV Studios from the rest of ITV, the reported agreement would provide a substantial pipeline of future commissions.

For production companies, certainty matters almost as much as funding.

The commitment is understood to cover a range of ITV Studios productions and could provide greater stability during a period when traditional broadcasters are facing increasing competition from global streaming platforms.

For soap viewers, it offers reassurance that long-running programmes would remain part of a business with significant commissioning support behind it.

Why Coronation Street And Emmerdale Look Safe

Whenever a major media deal emerges, viewers naturally ask whether favourite programmes are at risk.

At present, there appears to be little evidence suggesting Coronation Street or Emmerdale face an immediate threat from the proposed transaction.

In fact, several aspects of the reported deal point in the opposite direction.

Industry reports have specifically referenced Coronation Street and Emmerdale among the programmes expected to benefit from the wider commitment to ITV Studios.

Both soaps remain major brands within British television and continue to attract large audiences across traditional broadcasts and streaming platforms.

According to BARB ratings data, Coronation Street continues to attract audiences of around four million viewers, making it one of the UK’s most watched soaps.

That figure is lower than the audience highs the soap achieved a decade ago, but Coronation Street remains one of ITV’s biggest continuing drama brands. Emmerdale also continues to draw loyal audiences and remains a major part of ITV’s schedule.

For Sky, acquiring access to ITV’s programming ecosystem would make little sense if some of the broadcaster’s biggest and longest-running brands were weakened in the process.

ITV Studios Remains A Valuable Business

Another reason many industry observers remain positive is the strength of ITV Studios itself.

According to ITV’s latest financial results, ITV Studios generated revenue of £2.13 billion, making up just over half of ITV’s total group revenue of £4.12 billion.

Recent trading updates also showed ITV Studios revenue increasing by 4 per cent to around £400 million during the first quarter, while the Media and Entertainment division reported revenue of approximately £477 million.

Those figures help explain why ITV Studios is being treated differently from the rest of the business.

The production arm remains a major international supplier of content, producing programmes for broadcasters and streaming services around the world.

For viewers of Coronation Street and Emmerdale, that matters. Both soaps sit within one of ITV’s strongest and most valuable divisions.

The Love Productions Factor

Another reported aspect of the transaction has received less attention but could prove equally important.

Industry reports suggest ITV Studios would acquire Love Productions, the company behind The Great British Bake Off and The Piano, as part of the wider restructuring.

If completed, the move would strengthen ITV Studios’ catalogue and add another major production brand to its portfolio.

For supporters of British television production, that is another indication the proposed transaction is not simply about cutting costs. It is also about building scale and strengthening content creation.

Regulators Still Have Questions To Answer

Despite reports that terms have been agreed, the deal is not yet complete.

The Competition and Markets Authority and Ofcom are expected to scrutinise the proposal closely.

Reports have suggested rival broadcasters, including Channel 4 and Channel 5, could raise concerns during the review process.

Questions surrounding competition, advertising markets and broadcasting influence are likely to form part of the discussion.

Regulators may also examine ITV’s stake in ITN, which supplies news programming to ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5, alongside Sky’s existing ownership of Sky News.

However, regulatory review is a normal part of transactions of this size and does not automatically indicate a deal will be blocked.

For now, the process remains ongoing.

What Viewers Are Saying

Reaction online has been mixed but largely cautious.

Many viewers have welcomed reports of a long-term commitment to ITV Studios, viewing it as a positive sign for Coronation Street and Emmerdale.

Others have expressed concern about further consolidation within the television industry and want to see more detail before drawing conclusions.

A common theme among comments has been a desire for stability and continued investment in British drama and soaps.

That is ultimately what many viewers care about most.

The Bottom Line

While regulatory hurdles remain, the reported terms of the proposed Sky ITV deal appear more encouraging for Coronation Street and Emmerdale than many initially feared.

The key detail is the reported £2 billion commitment to ITV Studios over five years.

Nothing has been officially completed and regulators still have work to do.

But based on the information currently being reported, Coronation Street and Emmerdale appear to remain central to ITV Studios’ future, supported by a production business that is expected to stay independent, financially strong and commercially important.

FAQs

1. Will Coronation Street be cancelled?

There is currently no indication that Coronation Street is facing cancellation. Reports suggest the proposed deal includes significant future investment in ITV Studios, the company that produces the soap.

2. Is Emmerdale safe?

Based on current reports, Emmerdale would remain part of ITV Studios and could benefit from the same long-term commissioning commitment being discussed across the wider production business.

3. Has the Sky ITV deal been completed?

No. Industry reports suggest terms have been agreed, but regulatory approval and a formal announcement are still required before any transaction can be finalised.

4. When could the Sky ITV deal be announced?

Industry reports have suggested a formal announcement could arrive within the coming weeks, although neither company has publicly confirmed a date.

Article date: 29th June 2026

Sources:This article is based on reporting from Deadline, Variety, Business Matters, informitv, IBC, Broadband TV News and The Sunday Times, alongside BARB audience data, ITV financial results and trading updates, Ofcom guidance and Competition and Markets Authority guidance relating to UK media mergers.

Disclaimer: This article is based on industry reports and publicly available information at the time of writing. Neither ITV nor Sky has formally announced completion of the proposed transaction and details may change as regulatory reviews continue.