Emmerdale and Coronation Street will continue as normal following Sky's agreement to buy ITV for £1.6 billion, according to reports. The proposed transaction brings together two of the most trusted and complementary media organisations to create a stronger media business. Once completed, ITV channels and ITVX will remain free-to-air, and audiences will continue to enjoy programmes they know and love, alongside national and regional news.
Sky and ITV Merger Details
Sky and ITV Media and Entertainment aim to combine free-to-air broadcasting, advertising-funded streaming, and subscription television, together with Sky's wider portfolio. ITV currently reaches around 40 million people every week and serves more than 16.5 million monthly digital users. Combined with Sky, the new business will account for around 20% of in-home viewing in the UK, second only to the BBC and ahead of YouTube.
Dana Strong, CBE, Sky Group CEO, called it a 'defining moment for British media'. She added: 'We have huge respect for the transformation the ITV team has delivered, particularly its successful move into streaming through ITVX, which has brought fantastic British content to millions of viewers across the UK. Bringing Sky and ITV Media & Entertainment together combines the very best of free-to-air television, pay TV and streaming, ensuring viewers across the UK continue to enjoy outstanding British programming in a rapidly changing world. TV will remain a public service broadcaster at the heart of British life, and we're excited about the future we can build together.'
Impact on Emmerdale and Coronation Street
The massive change in ITV's ownership had left soap fans panicking about the fate of Emmerdale and Coronation Street. Budgets at both shows have been reduced significantly in recent years, leading to several cast departures. Additionally, popular shows like Holby City, Doctors, and Neighbours were all axed between 2022 and 2025, raising fears that long-running soaps could be next.
However, fans need not worry. Emmerdale and Coronation Street are both made by ITV Studios, which is not being sold to Sky. This means they will largely remain the same. The same applies to shows like Love Island, I'm A Celebrity, and even Line of Duty for the BBC.
Future of ITV Content
Content on ITV itself could gradually move behind a paywall, but the company's public service broadcasting licence requires free-to-air service until at least 2034. It is possible that some less popular shows might be axed, with the studio then able to find a new platform or cancel filming altogether. For now, it is business as usual for Emmerdale and Coronation Street.
While Sky's long-term plans for ITV remain to be seen, the soaps continue to be cornerstones of the broadcaster's output, giving fans plenty of reason to be optimistic about their future.
