Shares in ITV have jumped 4% on talk of a £3 billion private equity takeover offer.

Weekend reports suggested that a consortium of investors are considering a possible bid for the broadcaster.

Apax, KKR and Provident are weighing up their options on the broadcaster for a 100p per share bid, according to the Observer newspaper.

ITV has seen its share price depressed by a tough advertising market and rival BSkyB's enforced sale of more than 10% of its controversial stake in the company.

The shares closed near an all-time low of 73p on Friday, which analysts say makes ITV vulnerable to a bid. Four years ago, ITV was trading at 141p.