Beeb and C4 in tie-up
Plans for a tie-up between BBC Worldwide and Channel 4 are taking shape, and could take the form of a series of joint ventures worth a total of £100 million a year.
The tie-up between the two broadcasters, an attempt to solve Channel 4’s looming funding gap, would span TV, DVDs and magazines.
Sources close to the process said there may be one overall joint venture or several smaller ones, each with a specific responsibility such as DVDs.
A decision is poised to be made later this spring as part of the Digital Britain project which will see the UK get a universal broadband service.
It is hoped the venture would be a moneyspinner that would allow further investment in the UK’s TV and film industry. Recent successes have included the Oscar-winning film Slumdog Millionaire.
C4 is facing a funding shortfall of about £150 million from 2012. Regulator Ofcom has said it should become part of a larger organisation with a strong public-service remit.
Channel 4 and BBC Worldwide plan £100m tie-up
Ministers have signalled that they favour a link-up with BBC Worldwide over a merger with the rival Five or “top-slicing” the licence fee to save the commercial broadcaster.
However, last week the House of Commons culture, media and sport select committee said it preferred use of the licence fee.