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Both ITV and STV's businesses are split into two. One part of the business deals directly with the public, as it runs the tv channels and the streaming service. The other makes programmes, some of them for rival broadcasters and streamers. STV has been hit recently by a drop in advertising revenue and commissions. Its share price fell significantly and the company is now worth barely £50m. It is trying to save £3m by the end of next year. The company has been strongly condemned by Scottish politicians over its proposals to stop providing a separate news service for the north of Scotland. Regulator Ofcom is due to start a consultation on whether to allow this soon. If ITV's channels and streaming service are sold to Sky, would Sky be happy to let the current relationship between STV and ITV continue? Or would a multinational company want full access to the Scottish market? Would it contemplate offering to buy STV's tv channel and the STV Player? Or perhaps even bid for STV as a company? The low share price could certainly make the assets seem attractive to a buyer. But absolutely nothing is inevitable. For thirty years, STV has lived with endlessly regurgitated speculation that it might be bought over. But it is the great, and now unique, survivor of the old ITV federation. There is no reason to presume any sale of ITV plc's broadcasting assets would change that. Turning to the markets, ITV's share price rose on Friday over the possibility of a deal. However, there was no significant movement in STV's share price. It fell badly three months ago suggesting investors are not anticipating any bid for the company or some of its assets.
