ITV has said it is “actively exploring” a possible £1B ($1.3B) deal to acquire UK super-producer All3Media. traitor,
In a statement to shareholders on Friday morning, ITV responded to a Reuters report overnight, making clear that Britain’s biggest advertising-financed broadcaster was a contender to buy All3Media.
ITV said a deal with All3Media’s parent companies Warner Bros. Discovery and Liberty Global was “not certain.” It added: “A further announcement will be made if and when appropriate.”
ITV has over the past decade developed its production arm, ITV Studios, into one of the world’s most powerful content creators. All3Media would represent its biggest acquisition to date and could attract the attention of competition authorities.
Deadline understands Bunij is likely to have a look at All3Media, while the company could also attract interest from RTL-owned Fremantle, which has been actively acquiring in recent years.
The Daily Telegraph first revealed last month that Warner Bros Discovery and Liberty Global have roped in bankers JP Morgan to conduct the auction for all3media.
The company is one of the UK’s most prestigious production groups, with around 50 production labels, including shows Flea bag, tinder thug and upcoming netflix shows Squid Game: Challenge.
All3Media has been under the control of Discovery and Liberty Global for almost a decade after being sold to the US media giants in 2004 for £500M. Last year, Discovery merged with Warner Bros.
All3Media’s revenue is set to rise 32% to a record £867M in 2021, according to accounts filed with the UK’s Companies House. It earned £84M before interest, tax and depreciation.