ITV has shifted focus to “aggressively pursuing talent deals”, according to CEO Carolyn McCall, who said the UK outfit is more lukewarm on straight acquisitions and has turned some down “because they were not the right economics.”
Speaking during a two-hour investor conference this afternoon following the release of producer/distributor ITV Studios’ five-year masterplan, McCall and ITV Studios MD Julian Bellamy pointed to recent high-profile talent deals. The likes of It’s A Sin exec Nicola Shindler launched her Quay Street Productions banner with ITV Studios and Industry exec David P. Davis’ fledgling 5 Acts Productions is also backed by the producer/distributor. Shindler was referenced several times during the investor call, which featured contributions from multiple ITV execs.