ITV shares soar as studios business proves a hit
The group's studios business, which is responsible for shows like Amazon Prime's The Devil's Hour and Netflix's Run Away, saw revenue growth of 3 per cent in the first six months of the year.
ITV told shareholders the division's profits are set to rise in the second half due to the phasing of higher-margin sales, including Rivals season 2 for Disney+ and the third season of The Reluctant Traveller for Apple TV.
Studios produces in 12 countries, with over 60 production companies around the world
It helped offset a 7 per cent decline in total advertising revenue for the period, owing to a tough comparison with last year's men's UEFA European Football Championship.
The decline was better than forecasts of an 8 per cent fall.
ITVX sees spike in streaming hours
Meanwhile, streaming platform ITVX maintained bumper growth, with viewing hours rising 15 per cent.
ITV also said it found an additional £15million of permanent non-content cost savings, taking its 2025 streamlining tally to £45 million, and the group expects to spend slightly less than it had previously indicated on content this year.
'We are on track to deliver our 2026 key financial targets, with sustained good growth in ITV Studios and ITVX coupled with strategic cost management as we reshape our cost base,' boss Carolyn McCall said.
ITV shares were 8.4 per cent to 84p in early trading, taking 2025 gains to 15.1 per cent.
Aarin Chiekrie, equity analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown, said ITV's near-term outlook for ad revenues 'remains soft' but performance should improve as the comparisons with last year's Euro's fade.
He added: 'Given the low valuation of ITV and the quality of the Studios business, there's been plenty of speculation about takeover bids in recent times.
'That's likely to remain the case in the near term, and the main driver of the share price until other parts of the business improve performance.
'But given the structural decline in broadcasting advertising, it's not likely to be a swift turnaround.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
17 minutes ago
- The Independent
Lauren James injury latest as England provide update on ‘scare' ahead of Euro 2025 final
England forward Lauren James is set to be available for the Euro 2025 final against Spain after recovering from an ankle injury. James was forced off at half-time during England's semi-final win over Italy but has trained in the days before the final and is set to be fit. Sarina Wiegman expects to have all 23 players available for selection, should they come through their final recovery, including James. 'We had 23 players on the pitch today and everyone came through, so if everyone recovers well then we have 23 players available for tomorrow,' Wiegman said. 'I think we have many players that can impact, and we know that (James) can have an impact too, so that will be nice.' James played a key part in England's 1-0 win over the world champions Spain at Wembley in February - the last time Spain lost a match. 'Lauren brings something slightly different,' Leah Williamson said. 'Just like the others, so obviously having that available is best-case scenario for us.' Williamson has recovered from her own ankle injury and is set to captain England in the final after missing out of the 2023 World Cup, where the Lionesses lost 1-0 to Spain in Sydney. 'I can speak for every single member of the squad when I say we will play as long as we get the green light, we would play through absolutely anything to be involved at this stage,' Williamson said. 'My ankle is great. My mum actually rolled her ankle a couple of days ago, so she's taken all the attention away from me now. But no, I had a scare. Obviously I want to be involved, and I want to be available to help the team any way they need me.' Williamson said it was 'awful' to miss out on the last World Cup and admitted she felt 'useless' watching England in the final against Spain. 'That probably bothered me the most,' Williamson said. 'Of course, I'm very happy with that,' Wiegman said when asked about Williamson's availability as captain. 'I am very happy that we have 23 players available tomorrow and yeah, Leah has a big role in the team, so it's really nice to have her on the pitch.'
BBC News
17 minutes ago
- BBC News
Tottenham held to draws by Wycombe and Luton
Tottenham were forced to settle for pre-season friendly draws against Wycombe Wanderers and Luton Town, with both matches ending 2-2 and 0-0 respectively on Saturday coach Thomas Frank fielded two different starting XIs for the fixtures, both of which struggled to find a breakthrough against their League One behind-closed-doors friendly against Wycombe at Hotspur Way was a late addition to the club's calendar, but it handed the likes of Richarlison, Wilson Odobert and Brandon Austin their first pre-season Matar Sarr was one of the standout performers, netting a brace as Spurs came from behind to clinch a struggled in their second friendly of the day at Kenilworth Road though, as a team including summer signing Mohammed Kudus plus first-team regulars Micky van de Ven, Brennan Johnson and Guglielmo Vicario recorded just two shots over 90 minutes.
Daily Mail
17 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
New Match of the Day presenter Gabby Logan teased for 'embarrassing and cringeworthy' video begging Alexander Isak not to leave Newcastle as fans joke they 'thought clip was AI'
Gabby Logan has been teased on social media for her 'embarrassing and cringeworthy' plea begging Alexander Isak to stay at Newcastle this summer. Mail Sport first revealed earlier this week that the striker has told the club he wants to leave and Liverpool are preparing a staggering British record offer. Isak did not travel with his team-mates to Singapore after reporting a thigh injury and boss Eddie Howe has admitted the Magpies have a 'decision to make' over the ace. But Logan, one of three new Match of the Day presenters who will share the famous hot seat after Gary Lineker stepped away, has not given up hope that the frontman - who could go for as much as £150million - could change his mind. She spoke about the possibility of the Swede walking away from St James' Park on The Sports Agents podcast, declaring her words came 'from the heart'. 'The citadel of St James Park, that sits high and proud at the centre of the town, is like a cathedral of hope, of creativity, of joy,' Logan said. 'You know yourself: on match day, there probably isn't anywhere else in the world you'd rather play football.' "Don't leave, you're already at home!" 🏠 Gabby Logan makes an emotional call for Alexander Isak to stay at Newcastle United amid rumours he's asked the club for a way out. 🖤🤍 @GlobalPlayer | — The Sports Agents (@sportsagentspod) July 25, 2025 'It's a city that has grown champions and heroes. From Jackie Milburn to Alan Shearer, you have walked in the footsteps of some giants. You know the love and adoration that comes from being Newcastle's number nine.' Logan then concluded the impassioned video message by saying: 'Alexander, don't leave. Don't go anywhere else. You are already at home!' However, social media users were quick to brutally rib the presenter for the display. 'Wow. What on earth is this?' one account said. 'Embarrassing and cringeworthy.' Another simply said: 'This is absolutely pathetic.' 'Hahahaha what in the cringe is this. Embarrassing stuff,' a third wrote. A fourth added: 'I honestly thought this was AI ha, I mean seriously wtf?' Howe believes any decision over the wantaway Isak must be best for the club. When asked if he wanted a quick resolution, the Newcastle boss said: 'I wouldn't put a timescale on it. I think with these situations it has to be right for the football club, and everything then is taken into context below that. 'But the club will make the right decision with all the information that it has, and ultimately to try and move the club forward in whatever way that is. Then it's up to us to make good decisions the other way and try and improve the squad as best we can. That's what we're trying to do, regardless of Alex's situation. 'But I think there's a wider picture here. There's a whole football club that has to make the decision. The ownership, together with the board of directors, especially with the money involved in modern day transfers. The manager of course has an opinion, but ultimately the decision will rest with the board.'
