BBC Worldwide and C4 join forces

Channel 4 is moving a step closer to a joint venture with BBC Worldwide, as the broadcaster plans to combine its digital channels with some of the BBC’s commercial businesses.

The broadcasters are thought to be joining forces to create 4 Worldwide, a joint venture that will comprise Channel 4’s E4, More4 and Film4 digital channels with some elements of BBC Worldwide, according to reports in The Times.

However, it is understood that both Channel 4 and BBC Worldwide will retain their independence, each owning half of the new venture, while the chief executives of each broadcaster – John Smith and Andy Duncan – will keep their existing roles alongside a new management team, which will be appointed to run 4 Worldwide.

BBC Worldwide’s chief executive John Smith wrote an article in the The Sunday Times hinting that the BBC’s commercial arm was willing to include “non-BBC branded UK television businesses” in the venture.

This could potentially include the recently re-branded UKTV channels that currently operate with Virgin Media, such as Alibi, Blighty, Dave and Eden as well as UK History and Gold.

Lord Carter and the culture secretary Andy Burnham have both said they would favour a tie-up between BBC Worldwide and Channel 4, rather than a merger between C4 and Five, as a solution to C4’s funding deficit.

BBC: 020 8743 8000 www.bbc.co.uk Channel Four: 020 7396 4444 www.channel4.com