ITV

Corporate brand

A major British commercial media company operating the ITV television network, ITVX streaming service and ITV Studios production business.

Last updated October 26, 2026

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Overview

ITV plc is a British media company headquartered in London. It operates the ITV network, the United Kingdom’s principal commercial terrestrial television service, and owns ITV Studios, an international television production and programme-distribution business. The company is listed on the London Stock Exchange under the ticker ITV and has historically been a constituent of the FTSE 250 Index. The present company was created in 2004 when Granada plc acquired Carlton Communications and adopted the ITV name. That transaction consolidated most of the commercial ITV licences in England and Wales under one corporate owner after regulatory changes in the 1990s permitted greater concentration of franchise ownership. ITV plc subsequently acquired or consolidated additional assets, including digital-terrestrial infrastructure, television channels, production companies and, in 2015, UTV’s Northern Ireland licence. It holds 13 of the 15 regional licences that make up the ITV network; the two Scottish licences are operated by STV. ITV’s business has two principal areas. Media and Entertainment operates the ITV-branded television services, ITV News activity, advertising inventory and ITVX, a streaming platform combining advertising-supported and subscription-supported viewing. ITV Studios develops, produces and distributes scripted, factual, entertainment and reality programming for ITV and other broadcasters and platforms in the United Kingdom and internationally. Its production portfolio includes programmes made through businesses acquired or developed by the group, including World Productions. The company’s history includes a broad shift from regional franchise broadcasting toward a centrally managed national network, digital channels, online video and globally traded programme rights. It launched or expanded channels such as ITV2, ITV3, ITV4 and CITV, while discontinuing services whose economics or regulatory position became unsustainable. The closure of ITV News Channel and ITV Play reflected changes in digital distribution, participation-television regulation and audience behaviour. ITV has also undertaken substantial cost reduction and portfolio restructuring. Its 2010 five-year transformation programme sought to improve operating efficiency, reduce debt and strengthen the group’s balance sheet. From the mid-2010s onward, management increasingly emphasised ITV Studios and direct-to-consumer streaming as counterweights to dependence on traditional linear advertising. ITVX was introduced in 2022 as the group’s integrated streaming proposition and as the successor to ITV Hub. The company remains active, although its ownership and operating structure have been the subject of takeover speculation and proposed transactions. In 2025 ITV confirmed discussions concerning a possible sale of its Media and Entertainment division to Sky, while ITV Studios and the ITV corporate entity were to remain outside that proposed transaction. Any such transaction is subject to applicable regulatory approvals and should not be treated as completed unless officially confirmed.

History

The origins of ITV lay in Thailand's political debate after the Black May crisis of 1992. Public criticism of the established television system argued that state-linked channels had failed to provide sufficiently complete or independent reporting of the violence. The government therefore supported the creation of a commercial UHF station with explicit news and information obligations. The concession design attempted to prevent monopoly by requiring ten shareholders with equal holdings and by limiting any one shareholder's ownership to 10 percent. The station was also required to devote at least 70 percent of airtime to news and information, with entertainment capped at 30 percent. A Siam Commercial Bank-led group won the 1995 concession competition. The winning consortium included financial, media and production interests associated with Siam Commercial Bank, the Crown Property Bureau through an investment vehicle, Nation, Kantana, Daily News and other participating companies. The concession was awarded for 30 years, with the contract signed on July 3, 1995. The station began broadcasting under the iTV name on July 1, 1996, using UHF Channel 26. It moved to Channel 29 on August 1, 1999. During its early years, iTV developed a reputation for news, current affairs and investigative coverage. The same editorial model that differentiated it from other commercial stations also constrained its economics. The station had to carry a high proportion of comparatively expensive public-affairs content while paying substantial concession fees. The 1997 Asian financial crisis caused heavy losses and made the company's debt and concession obligations increasingly difficult to manage. Siam Commercial Bank, acting as a major shareholder and creditor, replaced Olarn Chaiyaprawat with Prakit Pratipasen as chairman and sought changes that would permit more concentrated ownership and stronger managerial control. The Cabinet approved amendments to the concession framework on February 1, 2000, and the contract was amended on April 25 of that year. In November 2000, Shin Corporation entered the ownership structure with a reported 39 percent interest, while Siam Commercial Bank converted debt to equity and gave Shin Corporation management rights. Shin Corporation subsequently became the dominant shareholder and appointed executives including Boonklee Plangsiri, Sanchai Tiewprasertkul and Songsak Premsuk. The change occurred during the period when Thaksin Shinawatra and his Thai Rak Thai party were becoming increasingly influential, making iTV's ownership and editorial independence politically sensitive. ITV increased its registered capital and completed a public offering in early 2002. It was listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand in March 2002. A further capital increase in 2003 was connected with proposed participation by Tripop Limpat and Kantana. The station also changed its programming mix, adding more entertainment content. Those changes were commercially rational but created tension with the original concession requirement that at least 70 percent of programming be news and information. In 2004, Shin Corporation and ITV pursued arbitration against the Office of the Permanent Secretary to the Prime Minister. The company sought a reduction in concession payments and amendments to the operating terms, arguing that other broadcasters faced less onerous financial arrangements. On January 30, 2004, the arbitration panel reduced the annual concession fee to 230 million baht, permitted a 50:50 information-to-entertainment schedule and awarded compensation to the company. The government challenged the award, arguing that the arbitrators had exceeded their authority by changing a state concession in a manner affecting the public interest. The Central Administrative Court ruled on May 9, 2006, that the arbitration award's key changes should be revoked. The court restored the original annual concession obligation and 70:30 programming ratio. ITV appealed, but the Supreme Administrative Court upheld the lower court on December 13, 2006. The judgment caused a severe market reaction and led the government to demand unpaid concession amounts, interest and contractual penalties. ITV could not sustainably operate under the restored terms. The government revoked the concession in early March 2007 and took over the station's operation. On March 8, the service was rebranded as Thailand Independent Television, or TITV. A government order later ended TITV broadcasting at shortly after midnight on January 15, 2008. Under Thailand's public-broadcasting legislation, the frequency and institutional role were transferred toward Thai PBS, which became the successor public-service broadcaster. Although its broadcasting business had ended, ITV Public Company Limited continued as a dormant corporate entity. It remained associated with Intouch Holdings, formerly Shin Corporation, and retained a public-company history even after its shares were delisted. In 2023, the entity returned to public attention after Pita Limjaroenrat disclosed inherited ITV shares in connection with Thailand's parliamentary and prime-ministerial politics. The controversy included debate over whether ITV still qualified as a media company and whether the company had been revived or re-described for political purposes. Intouch subsequently registered ITV's dissolution on September 17, 2024. ITV is now defunct as both a broadcaster and corporate operating business.

2024
ITV is registered for dissolution
[7]Intouch reports registration of ITV dissolutionmatichon.co.th
Intouch Holdings reported that ITV Public Company Limited registered its dissolution on September 17, 2024, beginning formal liquidation.
2023
Dormant ITV becomes part of Thailand's election controversy
[2]ITV (Thailand)en.wikipedia.org
Inherited ITV shares held by Pita Limjaroenrat prompted disputes over the company's status as a media entity and whether it could affect parliamentary eligibility.
2014
ITV shares are delisted
[2]ITV (Thailand)en.wikipedia.org
The dormant company's shares were reported as delisted from the Stock Exchange of Thailand.
2008
TITV closes and the frequency is redirected to public broadcasting
[2]ITV (Thailand)en.wikipedia.org
The former iTV/TITV service closed on January 15, 2008, with the frequency later used by Thai PBS.
2007
iTV concession is revoked and the station becomes TITV
[2]ITV (Thailand)en.wikipedia.org
The state took over the station and changed its name to Thailand Independent Television after the concession dispute escalated.
2006
Supreme Administrative Court restores original concession terms
[1]ITV (company)en.wikipedia.org
The Supreme Administrative Court upheld the reversal of the arbitration award on December 13, 2006.
2004
Arbitration changes concession economics
[1]ITV (company)en.wikipedia.org
An arbitration panel reduced the concession fee, relaxed the programming ratio and awarded compensation to ITV, subject to later court challenges.
2003
Registered capital is increased and programming becomes more commercial
[1]ITV (company)en.wikipedia.org
ITV approved a substantial capital increase and adjusted its schedule to include more entertainment programming, creating tension with the original concession ratio.
2002
ITV is listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand
[5]ITV Public Company Limited annual filingcapital.sec.or.th
The company completed a public offering and was listed on March 13, 2002.
2000
Government approves concession amendments
[1]ITV (company)en.wikipedia.org
The Cabinet approved changes intended to align the company with public-company and stock-exchange requirements, including ownership restructuring.
2000
Shin Corporation becomes the dominant management influence
[1]ITV (company)en.wikipedia.org
Shin Corporation acquired a major stake in November 2000 after the ownership restrictions were relaxed and became responsible for management direction.
1999
Transmission shifts to Channel 29
[1]ITV (company)en.wikipedia.org
The station moved its UHF transmission from Channel 26 to Channel 29 on August 1, 1999.
1998
Company adopts the ITV Public Company Limited name
[1]ITV (company)en.wikipedia.org
Siam Infotainment Company Limited changed its legal name to ITV Public Company Limited on October 20, 1998.
1996
iTV begins broadcasting
[2]ITV (Thailand)en.wikipedia.org
The station launched on July 1, 1996, as a news-led commercial television service on UHF Channel 26.
1995
Siam Infotainment is founded and wins the television concession
[1]ITV (company)en.wikipedia.org
Siam Infotainment Company Limited was founded on May 9, 1995, and its Siam Commercial Bank-led consortium won the 30-year concession to operate the planned UHF station.
1995
Concession agreement is signed
[1]ITV (company)en.wikipedia.org
The concession contract was signed on July 3, 1995, between the government-related authorities and the operating company.
1992
Post-Black May proposal for an independent UHF station
[1]ITV (company)en.wikipedia.org
Public debate after the Black May crisis generated support for a television service capable of providing more independent and accurate news coverage.

Products and positioning

Originally positioned as an independent, public-interest and news-led commercial television broadcaster; later repositioned toward a more commercially balanced television schedule before losing its concession and becoming a dormant corporate entity.

Free-to-air television broadcasting · 1996
iTV Television Station
The company's principal operating product was iTV, a Thai analogue free-to-air television station launched in 1996. It broadcast on the UHF band, initially using Channel 26 and later Channel 29. The service was designed around news, current affairs and public-interest information, with its original concession requiring at least 70 percent news and information content. It later expanded entertainment programming as the company attempted to improve its commercial performance.
Television news and journalism · 1996
iTV News and Current Affairs
News and current-affairs programming formed the central editorial proposition of iTV. The station was created partly in response to public dissatisfaction with the established television system's coverage of the 1992 Black May crisis. Its programming included public-affairs reporting, investigative journalism and information-oriented broadcasts intended to distinguish the service from more entertainment-led commercial channels.
Television entertainment · 2003
iTV Entertainment Programming
Entertainment programming was initially limited by the concession's 70:30 news-to-entertainment requirement. Following financial distress, ownership changes and the 2004 arbitration decision, the station pursued a more commercially balanced schedule. Entertainment became more prominent during the early 2000s, although the change later contributed to the legal dispute over whether ITV had breached its concession terms.
Government-operated television service · 2007
Thailand Independent Television (TITV)
TITV was the transitional successor to iTV after the government revoked the commercial concession in 2007. It operated under government control rather than as ITV's commercial service and continued temporarily on the former station's frequency. TITV closed in January 2008, after which the frequency and public-service broadcasting function were transferred into Thai PBS.

Controversies

2023
ITV dormant-company controversy involving Pita Limjaroenrat
ITV returned to political controversy after Pita Limjaroenrat disclosed inherited shares. Public debate focused on whether the dormant company remained a media business, whether its corporate description had been changed to support that interpretation, and whether the shares affected his eligibility for political office.
Source
2020
ITV discloses errors affecting postal competition entries
ITV said an internal audit found administrative errors in six premium-rate competitions since 2014, in which some free postal entries were not included. ITV said it had implemented measures to address the problem.
Source
2020
ITV apologizes and re-edits Saturday Night Takeaway segment
ITV apologized for costumes worn during the show that featured the Rising Sun flag, saying the mistake was unintended, and said it had taken steps to re-edit the segment for ITV Hub and repeat broadcasts.
Source
2020
ITV apologizes over The Masked Singer panel error
ITV apologized after Jonathan Ross suggested that Natalie Cole, who died in 2015, could be the singer performing as Daisy on The Masked Singer.
Source
2006
Concession-fee and programming-ratio dispute
The dispute over concession payments, programming obligations, arbitration authority and alleged contractual breaches became the central institutional crisis of ITV's operating history. Court rulings restored the original concession terms and exposed the company to major payment and penalty claims.
Source
2000
Political and ownership concerns following Shin Corporation's acquisition
Shin Corporation's acquisition of a controlling or dominant influence in ITV, during the rise of Thaksin Shinawatra and the Thai Rak Thai party, generated continuing concerns about media independence and political influence.
Source
1996
Unpublished investigation into the concession bidding process
The selection of the winning consortium and the difference between competing royalty offers reportedly prompted a government investigation. The referenced material states that the results were never made public.
Source

1996Independent news and public-affairs launch positioning
Thailand
At launch, iTV presented itself as a commercially operated but editorially independent television station emphasizing news, current affairs, investigative reporting and public-interest information.
Outcome. The positioning gave iTV a distinct identity in Thai television, but the news-heavy concession model contributed to long-term financial pressure.
Source

Brand decisions

2024
Corporate dissolution and liquidationOther
Background
After the television operation had ended and the company had remained dormant for years, its parent group moved to terminate the legal entity.
Action taken
ITV Public Company Limited registered its dissolution on September 17, 2024, initiating the formal liquidation process.
Aftermath
ITV ceased to exist as an operating corporate brand and remains a defunct historical media company.
Source
2007
Concession revocation and transition to TITVOther
Background
The Supreme Administrative Court upheld the restoration of the original concession terms, while ITV faced demands for unpaid fees and contractual penalties.
Action taken
The government revoked the concession, took over the station and renamed it Thailand Independent Television.
Aftermath
The commercial iTV operation ended, and the state-controlled TITV service later gave way to Thai PBS in 2008.
Source
2004
Arbitration challenge to concession fees and operating termsStrategy
Background
ITV argued that its concession burden was disproportionate to the terms faced by other Thai television operators and sought relief from the government contract.
Action taken
The company pursued arbitration requesting a lower annual concession fee and permission to alter its news-to-entertainment mix.
Aftermath
The arbitration panel granted major relief, but the government challenged the award and the courts later restored the original concession framework.
Arbitration-approved annual concession fee. 1000000000 baht per year → 230000000 baht per year (January 30, 2004 arbitration award)
Source
2003
Programming schedule is expanded toward entertainmentGeneration change
Background
ITV attempted to improve its commercial performance and respond to financial pressure after ownership and capital restructuring.
Action taken
The station adjusted its schedule and increased entertainment programming, while continuing to work with production partners including Kantana and Tripop Limpat.
Aftermath
The change improved the station's commercial orientation but became central to later allegations that ITV had breached its original 70:30 concession programming ratio.
Source
2000
Relaxation of ownership restrictions and management transfer to Shin CorporationStrategy
Background
The company faced large losses after the Asian financial crisis and sought outside capital and stronger management control.
Action taken
The government approved concession amendments, ownership restrictions were relaxed, and Shin Corporation acquired a major interest and management influence.
Aftermath
ITV gained access to a larger corporate group but became more politically sensitive because of Shin Corporation's association with Thaksin Shinawatra's family.
Shin Corporation stake purchase. 1600000000 baht for a reported 39 percent interest (November 2000)
Source
1995
Bid for a news-led UHF television concessionStrategy
Background
The government sought a new free-to-air UHF service after criticism of the established television channels' coverage of the 1992 political violence.
Action taken
A Siam Commercial Bank-led consortium won the 30-year concession and established the operating company that became ITV Public Company Limited.
Aftermath
The station launched in 1996 with a strong independent-news identity but inherited demanding programming and concession obligations.
Total concession value. 25200000000 baht (1995 concession award)
Source

Recent events

2026
Sky announces proposed acquisition of ITV Media and Entertainment operations[12]ITV Play参与式电视争议en.wikipedia.org
M&A · Regulation
The referenced announcement described a proposed transaction involving Sky and ITV’s Media and Entertainment division, subject to regulatory review and including arrangements concerning content investment, ITN and use of the ITV brand.
2025
ITV confirms discussions over sale of Media and Entertainment division to Sky[12]ITV Play参与式电视争议en.wikipedia.org
M&A
ITV confirmed talks concerning a proposed sale of its television channels and ITVX operations to Sky, with ITV Studios and ITV plc itself excluded from the proposed transaction.
2024
Intouch registers dissolution of ITV Public Company Limited[7]Intouch reports registration of ITV dissolutionmatichon.co.th
Other · M&A
Intouch Holdings reported that ITV Public Company Limited was registered for dissolution on September 17, 2024, beginning the formal liquidation and closure process.
2022
ITV launches ITVX as an integrated streaming service[12]ITV Play参与式电视争议en.wikipedia.org
Product launch
ITV introduced ITVX as a successor to ITV Hub, combining advertising-funded viewing with subscription access and a broader streaming catalogue.
2022
ITV moved from the FTSE 100 to the FTSE 250[12]ITV Play参与式电视争议en.wikipedia.org
Other · Pricing
A decline in ITV’s share value, associated with investor concerns about advertising revenues, resulted in the company leaving the FTSE 100 and joining the FTSE 250.
2014
ITV shares are delisted from the Stock Exchange of Thailand[2]ITV (Thailand)en.wikipedia.org
Other
The dormant ITV entity was reported as having its shares delisted, ending its effective life as a listed operating media company.
2008
TITV closes and its broadcasting role passes toward Thai PBS[2]ITV (Thailand)en.wikipedia.org
Regulation · Other
The government ordered the former iTV/TITV operation to close on January 15, 2008. The frequency was subsequently assigned to the Thai Public Broadcasting Service.
2007
Government revokes ITV concession and renames the station TITV[2]ITV (Thailand)en.wikipedia.org
Regulation · Leadership change
After the concession dispute, the government took control of the station and replaced the iTV identity with Thailand Independent Television, or TITV.
2006
Administrative Court overturns key parts of ITV arbitration award[1]ITV (company)en.wikipedia.org
Lawsuit · Regulation
Thailand's Central Administrative Court revoked the concession-fee reduction and compensation order, restoring the original concession framework and programming obligations.
2006
Supreme Administrative Court upholds restoration of ITV concession terms[1]ITV (company)en.wikipedia.org
Lawsuit · Regulation
The Supreme Administrative Court upheld the lower court's decision on December 13, 2006, intensifying ITV's financial and operational crisis.

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