BBC may have to dispose of UKTV in new move under consideration by government
The BBC may be forced to dispose part or all of its interest in broadcaster UKTV, under new measures being considered by the Culture Secretary, John Whittingdale, The Daily Telegraph reported.
The move would reduce the BBC’s influence at the venture, which is jointly owned with the Knoxville, Tennessee-based media company Scripps Networks, and could free up UKTV to start pursuing acquisitions, the report said. According to speculation from trade sources cited in the piece, UKTV may have been held back from doing deals because the BBC is anxious not to be seen to be expanding into commercial territory while the government is pushing it to scale back.
UKTV has so far been prevented from pursuing potential acquisitions of rival broadcasters and production companies, but Scripps might be able to put in capital for expansion if the BBC’s influence is lessened, the report said.
UKTV owns the Gold and Dave television channels and last year made profits of GBP 75.9m (USD 107.5m), the report said. The BBC last year turned down a buyout offer for the company from Scripps, the item noted.
Daily Telegraph