Disney and ITV have formed a unique partnership to share selected content across their streaming platforms, Disney+ and ITVX, launching on July 16. Each platform will feature curated content from the other, aiming to attract different audience segments and boost subscriptions, with around 70-100 hours of content shared and refreshed every few months. This deal reflects a broader trend of streaming services collaborating with traditional broadcasters to expand their reach and content offerings.
The first televised debate of the UK's 2024 general election campaign, featuring Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Labour leader Keir Starmer, will air on ITV1, ITVX, STV, and STV Player at 21:00 on Tuesday. Moderated by Julie Etchingham, the debate will be followed by The ITV Election Interviews at 22:10. Additional debates will be hosted by the BBC, including a seven-party debate on Friday and a final head-to-head debate on 26 June. Comprehensive coverage will be available across BBC platforms, including TV, radio, and online.
ITV has sold its 49% stake in BritBox International to BBC Studios for £255 million, as part of its strategy to focus on its core business. BritBox International is a streaming service that offers British television content to international audiences. The sale reflects the ongoing consolidation in the media industry and BBC Studios' commitment to expanding its presence in the global streaming market.
BBC Studios has acquired ITV's 50% share in BritBox International for $322M, making it the biggest single transaction for the BBC's commercial wing. The deal values BritBox International at over £500M and will see the streamer join BBC Studios Global Media & Streaming division. BritBox UK, in which ITV owns 100% of the shares, is unaffected. The acquisition aims to double the size of BBC Studios' business and will not impact commissioning plans for BritBox International.
ITV is facing criticism for airing a documentary about the Ukraine war from the Russian side, with concerns that it could be used as propaganda by supporters of the Moscow regime. The documentary, "Ukraine's War: The Other Side," features interviews with Russian forces and civilians, including controversial statements about the conflict. Critics argue that the timing of the documentary, following the death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, is inappropriate and could undermine support for Ukraine. However, ITV defends the film as independent journalism providing a balanced insight into the war.
Jamie Lynn Spears has quit the ITV reality series I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here! for undisclosed medical reasons. The younger sister of Britney Spears will make her final appearance on the show tonight. Spears expressed her desire to leave during Tuesday night's episode, citing her dislike for the environment. She is known for her roles in Nickelodeon's Zoey 101 and Sweet Magnolias, and recently competed on ABC's Dancing with the Stars.
Holly Willoughby is leaving the ITV show "This Morning" after 14 years, citing personal reasons. Her departure follows a police investigation into a foiled kidnap plot targeting the presenter. Willoughby expressed gratitude to the show's staff and guests in a statement, and her exit comes after her former co-star Phillip Schofield left the show earlier this year amidst a scandal.
Holly Willoughby, a top morning news anchor in the UK, was pulled from the air after police uncovered an alleged plot to kidnap and murder her. The suspect, Gavin Plumb, who did not personally know Willoughby, was arrested and charged with soliciting to murder and kidnap. Willoughby is under police protection, and her colleagues and even the UK Prime Minister have offered their support. The investigation is ongoing, and ITV is providing support to Willoughby and her family during this distressing time.
The Complete and Utter History of Britain, a pre-Monty Python series created by Michael Palin and Terry Jones, has been discovered by ITV after being thought lost for 54 years. The six-episode series, which aired in 1969, was found mis-catalogued in the ITV vaults and has been cleaned, restored, and made available for streaming. Fans can now watch all episodes on ITV Premium.
The Academy Awards will have a new home in the UK as ITV becomes the exclusive local broadcaster for the 2024 Oscars, following a deal with Disney. The multi-year agreement will also make future Oscars available across ITV platforms and programming, including ITV1 and its streaming platform ITVX. The CEO of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences expressed excitement about partnering with ITV, stating that it is a testament to the broadcaster's devotion to movies. The 96th Oscars ceremony will take place on March 10, 2024.
Ofcom will not take any action over Adjoa Andoh's comment that the King's Coronation was "terribly white" during ITV's coverage of the event, despite receiving over 8,000 complaints. The watchdog stated that the comment was a personal observation made during a wide-ranging panel discussion that contained a range of viewpoints. Andoh, who plays Lady Agatha Danbury in Netflix's Bridgerton, issued a statement in May following the backlash, stating that there was no intention to upset anyone and that she continues to celebrate the King.
UK media regulator Ofcom will not investigate ITV's coverage of King Charles III's Coronation after receiving a record number of complaints about comments made by Bridgerton star Adjoa Andoh. Andoh had accused the royal family of being "terribly white" during the broadcast. Ofcom also ruled out an investigation into Channel 4's Naked Education, which featured full-frontal nudity before the 9PM watershed.
Holly Willoughby made an emotional return to This Morning and said she was "shaken, troubled, let down" by co-host Phillip Schofield, who admitted to having a sexual relationship with a young male runner. ITV has hired a barrister to investigate what was known about the relationship and whether its safeguarding standards were up to scratch. ITV CEO Carolyn McCall will face a grilling from UK Parliament's influential Culture, Media and Sport Committee next week over the scandal.
Phillip Schofield denies grooming a younger colleague during a BBC interview, but admits to having an affair with a much younger production assistant before publicly coming out as gay in 2020. He suggests that homophobia played a role in how much attention the affair has received in Britain. ITV has launched an external review of its handling of the incident, and Schofield does not expect to return to screens, saying his TV career is over. He also discusses suicidal thoughts and the impact on his family.
TV presenter Phillip Schofield has said he does not see a future for his career following his affair with a young male colleague. In an emotional interview with the BBC, Schofield said he had "lost everything" and was "desperately sorry" for his actions. He denied taking advantage of his position and said the affair was consensual but "a grave error". Schofield also spoke about his suicidal thoughts and the impact on his family. Questions have been raised about ITV's handling of the situation and whether its investigation went far enough.
