“We’ve been very focused on our balance sheet, we’re really very robust. We still see uncertainty ahead [amid the pandemic], it’s not the kind of acquisition we would do,” McCall told journalists on a media call.
An ITV spokeswoman would not comment on whether McCall’s remarks mean it is not interested in a target of Channel 4’s ilk. The chief executive told press she would not “speculate” on the future of Channel 4, but ITV has been touted as a potential buyer for the broadcaster, which is owned by the UK government.
In another sign that ITV is not overly acquisitive at this time, McCall explained a shift in strategy at ITV Studios. The studio hoovered up production companies under McCall’s predecessor Adam Crozier, acquiring the likes of“We started to back talent instead of constantly acquiring companies. And we’ve actually found that is a really effective strategy,” the CEO said.