Sky agrees to buy British broadcaster ITV for up $2.1 billion to compete with streaming giants

By: The Associated Press Posted:

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LONDON (AP) — Sky, the UK-based TV, internet and mobile phone provider owned by Comcast, has agreed to buy ITV’s media and entertainment arm for up to 1.6 billion pounds ($2.1 billion) after months of talks to create a major competitor to the global streaming giants.

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LONDON (AP) — Sky, the UK-based TV, internet and mobile phone provider owned by Comcast, has agreed to buy ITV’s media and entertainment arm for up to 1.6 billion pounds ($2.1 billion) after months of talks to create a major competitor to the global streaming giants.

The deal includes the terrestrial TV channels and streaming service of ITV, Britain’s largest commercial broadcaster. ITV’s production arm, ITV Studios, known for shows such as the “I’m A Celebrity’’ series, will remain an independent company.

The transaction will “create a UK champion with the scale and resources to better compete with global streaming platforms,” ITV Chairman Andrew Cosslett said in a statement.

The combined Sky-ITV entity will become part of NBCUniversal following the completion of its split from Comcast, ITV said.

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MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS Incumbent mayor, Scott Gillingham, scrums with media Tuesday afternoon, outside 1510 Main Street, a brand new 72-unit residential building developed by Inuka. Inuka is a Black-led, community-rooted nonprofit creating sustainable, affordable housing for low- to moderate-income households in Winnipeg.

Gillingham promises to make north Main revitalization a second-term priority

Joyanne Pursaga 3 minute read Preview

Gillingham promises to make north Main revitalization a second-term priority

Joyanne Pursaga 3 minute read Tuesday, Sep. 22, 2026

Scott Gillingham says he will work to “reset and renew” north Main Street, if he wins a second term as mayor.

The incumbent candidate promised Tuesday to devise a long-term plan to rejuvenate that section of the thoroughfare, noting it has recently suffered from decay.

“It has a rich history, a deep and proud history. But the last couple of years, to say it’s been underperforming would be an understatement…. So many stretches of Main Street here, I see derelict buildings, boarded-up businesses, piles of rubble after fires that sit waiting to be cleaned up,” Gillingham said.

“We can disrupt what is going on and turn the tide on north Main Street.”

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Tuesday, Sep. 22, 2026

If you feel stuck on repeat, reach out for advice

Maureen Scurfield 4 minute read Yesterday at 2:00 AM CDT

DEAR MISS LONELYHEARTS: My ex-mother-in-law and I ran into each other at a political do and had a great old time. I like her much better now than when I was married to her daughter. But she enjoyed mentioning that her daughter is now much happier in her new marriage to someone other than me. That’s rude, but I was actually happy to hear it.

Then she had the nerve to ask me if I felt better-suited to my new wife, and I said, “No, because she’s a lot like your daughter.” That was an awful thing for me to finally realize fully, and in front of my ex-mother-in-law.

Is it true people keep marrying the same type of person over and over again, and just keep trying to do better each time?

— Lying Awake, Tuxedo

Free Press Files A day after Russ Wyatt announced he would run in the upcoming civic elections, other city councillors and labour leaders called on the incumbent Transcona councillor to reconsider his decision to seek re-election while facing sexual assault charges.

Labour leaders, councillors urge Wyatt to reconsider re-election bid

Malak Abas 5 minute read Preview

Labour leaders, councillors urge Wyatt to reconsider re-election bid

Malak Abas 5 minute read Tuesday, Sep. 22, 2026

City councillors and labour leaders called on incumbent Transcona councillor Russ Wyatt to reconsider his decision to seek re-election while facing sexual assault charges.

A day after the longtime councillor announced he would be running again, the Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 500 and the Winnipeg Labour Council, joined by Couns. Cindy Gilroy and Evan Duncan, told reporters Wyatt would not be able to serve Transcona while fighting multiple sexual assault charges in court and should step aside.

The community of Transcona, traditionally known for its working-class roots, has “been through enough drama,” the president of the city’s largest union said.

“I am not declaring him guilty of anything, the courts will decide that, and his lawyer says that he is innocent. I’m stating a plain fact about capacity. Every hour spent on legal defence is an hour not spent on Transcona,” CUPE 500 president Patrick Troughton said at city hall Tuesday afternoon.

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Tuesday, Sep. 22, 2026
SUPPLIED Brandon-born drummer Chris Sutherland, left, with wife Tina Faye.

Well-known Brandon-born rock drummer Sutherland dies at age 58

Rylee Gerrard 3 minute read Preview

Well-known Brandon-born rock drummer Sutherland dies at age 58

Rylee Gerrard 3 minute read Yesterday at 7:19 PM CDT

Chris (Suds) Sutherland, a Brandon-born drummer who was the driving force behind many top artists in the Canadian music industry, has died at 58.

Sutherland is widely praised throughout North America as a talented percussionist with an extensive discography.

He performed with such Canadian music legends as Kim Mitchell, Randy Bachman, Burton Cummings, Streetheart and others.

Sutherland brought presence and “plow” when he played, Tina Faye said about her husband.

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Yesterday at 7:19 PM CDT

You’d only regret not acting on longtime crush

Maureen Scurfield 3 minute read 2:00 AM CDT

DEAR MISS LONELYHEARTS: For years I had a big crush on my older sister’s hot-looking best friend who was often over at our house. My sister found out about my crush and told me, “I’ll kill you, if you go after my friend!” I was crushed at the time, and kept my distance, although I still had erotic dreams about that girl a lot.

This fall my sister is going to university out of province, and her friend is still here in Winnipeg, going to the same college as I am. I ran into her recently at a mall. She looked me up and down and said, “Wow!” Was she teasing me like a little boy or was she actually flirting with me now my sister’s out of the way?

More importantly, do I need my sister’s permission to ask out this friend of hers now she lives in Ontario? Please help!

— Still Awkward, But Interested, North Kildonan

Rob Grabowski / Invision Files Legendary singer-songwriter Bruce Springsteen is 77 today.

Today’s horoscope

Georgia Nicols 4 minute read Preview

Today’s horoscope

Georgia Nicols 4 minute read Yesterday at 2:00 AM CDT

MOON ALERT: Caution. Avoid shopping (except food and gas) and important decisions from 3 a.m. until 10:55 p.m. After that, the moon moves from Aquarius into Pisces.

ARIES (March 21-April 19)

There’s a moon alert all day so restrict spending to food and gas, and postpone important decisions. However, you are the artisan of the zodiac, and a moon alert is an excellent time for socializing and making art.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20)

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Yesterday at 2:00 AM CDT