UTV may be selling its television interests...

According to The Independent, UTV are thinking about selling its television interests in Northern Ireland, and concentrating on its more profitable radio arm.

Link to article

If the speculated sale to ITV Plc goes ahead, this will be the end of the last truly regional ITV franchise. Very sad.

Is it surprising ITV plc are interested? Since the boardroom coup was reported on this forum, there has been speculation as to the future of UTV. It wouldn't surprise me if ITV plc made a bid for UTV as a whole, as the radio arm includes Talksport, and ITV could thus cross promote, and also, they could multi task some presenters, so it may be Richard keys presents live football on the telly again.

I think this should be merged in to the previous thread as it was heavily implied that this may happen there.

They'd be more likely to give Adrian Chiles a job on talkSPORT. And to be honest I think if they wanted Richard Keys they'd give him a job. Anyway I doubt radio will come into this deal and I don't think Richard Keys will be the deciding factor.

What about STV?

STV Group owns the former Scottish and Grampian regions - both share continuity played out from Glasgow. UTV is the only truly independent, regional station.

I did look at the existing thead, and considered this worthy of a separate one, but I'm happy if TPTB decide they should be merged.