ITV in brief
- Rank: #68 of 100 in UK's Most Powerful 100 Brands 2026; #7 of 9 in Media & Entertainment.
- WCRC Power Score: 63.88 out of 100.
- Founded: 1955, by Independent Television network of regional franchise companies (ITV plc formed 2004 from merger of Granada and Carlton).
- Owner: ITV plc, London, England.
- Leadership: Carolyn McCall, Chief Executive.
- Latest revenue: £4.1bn revenue (FY2025, year to Dec 2025, -0.5%), group revenue of ITV plc, as per company filings.
What makes ITV powerful
ITV is Britain's main commercial television brand, home to soaps, entertainment formats and major live events that still draw some of the largest audiences in the country. Its streaming service ITVX is growing quickly: monthly active users rose 12% to 16.5 million in 2025 and streaming hours increased 16%.
The company's other pillar, ITV Studios, makes and sells programmes worldwide and grew revenue 5% to £2.13bn in 2025, more than half of group revenue of £4.12bn. That combination of broadcast reach and a global content engine made ITV attractive to Comcast's Sky, which has agreed to buy the channels and streaming business. Studios will stay with ITV plc as a London-listed content company with a long-term supply deal worth at least £2.1bn.
Sky agreed in July 2026 to buy ITV's Media & Entertainment business for up to £1.6bn.
Why ITV ranks #68
ITV ranks 68th with a WCRC Power Score of 63.88, between Auto Trader above and Halifax below. Positioning and recall (68) is its strongest pillar, reflecting soaps, entertainment formats and live events that still draw mass audiences. Trust (64) is solid, while product and innovation (62), digital and financial (62) and sustainability and governance (60) hold it back as advertising weakens and its channels prepare to pass to Sky.
The Achilles' heel
Television advertising is under structural pressure from global streamers and online platforms, and ITV's total revenue slipped slightly in 2025. Paid subscription revenue on ITVX was flat at £48m. The planned sale of its Media & Entertainment arm to Sky means the ITV channels and ITVX will move to US ownership once the deal completes, subject to regulatory approval.
The 2026 story
ITV began 2026 confirming talks with Sky, then on 6 July agreed to sell its Media & Entertainment business, including its Channel 3 licences, for up to £1.6bn: £1.2bn in cash, Sky's Love Productions valued at £200m and up to £200m linked to advertising performance. ITV expects to return about £950m to shareholders. Completion is expected in the second half of 2027, after which ITV plc will be a pure-play ITV Studios business. Carolyn McCall remains chief executive.
Pillar profile
Provisional desk scores out of 100, for the WCRC Business Intelligence Unit to validate.
Versus its nearest rivals
Questions people ask
What rank is ITV in WCRC's UK's Most Powerful Brands 2026?
ITV ranks #68 of 100 in WCRC's UK's Most Powerful 100 Brands 2026, with a WCRC Power Score of 63.88 out of 100.
What makes ITV powerful?
Mass reach for live and entertainment television in the UK, plus ITV Studios, a large international production business.
What is ITV's revenue?
£4.1bn revenue (FY2025, year to Dec 2025, -0.5%), group revenue of ITV plc, as per company filings.
Who founded and owns ITV?
ITV was founded in 1955 by Independent Television network of regional franchise companies (ITV plc formed 2004 from merger of Granada and Carlton). It is owned by ITV plc and based in London, England.
Who leads ITV?
Carolyn McCall, Chief Executive.
What is ITV's biggest challenge?
Its broadcast and streaming arm is being sold to Comcast's Sky, ending British ownership of the ITV channels.
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Key facts
| Brand | ITV |
|---|---|
| Company / owner | ITV plc |
| Headquarters | London, England, United Kingdom |
| Founded | 1955 |
| Founder(s) | Independent Television network of regional franchise companies (ITV plc formed 2004 from merger of Granada and Carlton) |
| Leadership | Carolyn McCall, Chief Executive |
| Latest revenue | £4.1bn revenue (FY2025, year to Dec 2025, -0.5%), group revenue of ITV plc, as per company filings |
| Sector | Media & Entertainment |
| Website | itv.com |
| Home country | United Kingdom |
Sources
- Revenue figure published by ITV plc
- Company website, official announcements and press releases
- Published interviews and statements by the leadership
- WCRC Business Intelligence Unit research: consumer sentiment, ratings and reviews, search demand, media and social data
