LONDON, July 6 (Reuters) - The chief executive of ITV said she expects the merger of the group's broadcast unit with Sky to win regulatory approval, reflecting the fundamental change in the television industry in recent years, although she warned the process would be lengthy.

"We're hopeful, and we believe the conditions are right, because the market has changed so fundamentally," ITV CEO Carolyn McCall told reporters on Monday.

"We're talking about the 12 to 18 month regulatory review," she added.