French production company Banijay is reportedly "exploring a deal" for ITV which could include a full takeover of the broadcaster.
The firm behind hits such as Peaky Blinders and MasterChef is said to be interested in ITV's production arm ITV Studios, which makes shows including Coronation Street, The Graham Norton Show, Unforgotten, The Chase and Good Morning Britain either directly or through its subsidiaries.
According to the Financial Times, Banijay is also mulling the option that would see it also assume control of the broadcast business, namely linear networks including ITV1 and the hugely-popular streamer ITVX.
The newspaper says that a combined Banijay-ITV Studios would boast around 300,000 hours of programming, with 195,000 from the former and 90,000 from the latter.
Currently valued at around £3 billion, ITV is also said to be of interest to the UAE-backed All3Media, France's TF1 Group and CVC Capital Partners.
Neil Wilkes
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