ITV has reiterated its full-year guidance after reporting a solid first half of 2026, with strong growth in digital advertising and ITVX helping offset the expected seasonal slowdown in ITV Studios.
Group revenue rose 2% in the six months to 30 June, while adjusted EBITA was flat year-on-year. Statutory pre-tax profit increased 16% to £78 million, with adjusted earnings per share up 22%.
ITVX continued to be the standout performer within Media & Entertainment. Viewing on the streaming platform rose 27% during the first half, while digital advertising revenue increased 13%. Overall Total Advertising Revenue (TAR) was up 3%, helped by strong demand around the Men’s Football World Cup.
ITV Studios reported a 2% increase in total revenue, although adjusted EBITA fell 9% as production deliveries and high-margin licensing deals are weighted towards the second half of the year. The company expects a strong H2 schedule including The Gentlemen, Line of Duty series seven, Vigil series three, Hell’s Kitchen and Guilty Creatures.
Chief Executive Carolyn McCall said the company remained “on track to deliver our full-year guidance”, highlighting continued momentum at ITVX and confidence in ITV Studios’ delivery schedule for the remainder of the year.
ITV also confirmed plans for a £100 million share buyback alongside an unchanged interim dividend of 1.7 pence per share. The buyback represents an early return of capital ahead of the proposed sale of Media & Entertainment to Sky, announced earlier this month.
The broadcaster cautioned that macroeconomic headwinds continue to affect advertising markets. Despite a strong July driven by the World Cup, ITV expects Total Advertising Revenue to fall by around 5% in the third quarter, with year-to-date revenue remaining broadly flat by the end of September.
The proposed sale of ITV’s Media & Entertainment business to Sky remains subject to regulatory approval and is not expected to complete before the second half of 2027.
Source: https://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2026/07/31/itv-on-track-as-itvx-powers-digital-growth/
