ITV plc is a British media company that holds 13 of the 15 regional television licences that make up the ITV network (Channel 3), the oldest and largest commercial terrestrial television network in the United Kingdom. The network, which is branded ITV by ITV plc, has vied with BBC One for the status of the UK’s most watched channel since the 1950s (a crown it lost in 2005).
The company was formed in 2004, after a corporate takeover by Granada plc (the parent company of Granada Television) of Carlton Communications. Granada acquired a 68% controlling interest of the newly formed company whilst Carlton retained the 32% remaining shares. It began trading on 2 February 2004. That was the most recent stage in a long process of mergers between the original ITV regional franchises. It acquired the remaining 25% of the Breakfast franchise holder, GMTV, from The Walt Disney Company in 2009, Channel Television from Yattendon Group plc in 2011 and UTV for £100 million in 2015, with ownership of the latter transferring to ITV on 29 February 2016.
ITV plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index.
Type: Public limited company
Traded as: LSE: ITV; FTSE 100 Component
Industry: Media
Predecessors: Granada plc; Carlton Communications
Founded: 2 February 2004; 16 years ago
Headquarters: 2 Waterhouse Square 138 – 142 Holborn, London
Products: Broadcasting; Television production
Divisions: ITV Studios
Website: www.itvplc.com