Britain's BBC, Channel 4 discuss broader tie-up to cut costs, sources say
The BBC and Channel 4 are in preliminary talks regarding a potential partnership to combine certain commercial operations, such as advertising and video-on-demand services. The move is intended to cut costs and improve competitiveness against global streaming giants.
Why it matters
This potential merger reflects the broader struggle of traditional public service broadcasters to remain financially viable in an era dominated by digital streaming platforms.
LONDON, Oct 8 (Reuters) - Britain's BBC and Channel 4 have held preliminary talks with the government about a broader tie-up of some operations, two people with direct knowledge of the discussions said, in a potential shake-up of the country's public broadcasters.
One option under discussion would combine Channel 4's advertising operations, channels including E4 and Film4, and its video-on-demand services, with UKTV, a commercial subsidiary of the BBC, the people told Reuters.
A merged entity could be equally owned by the BBC and Channel 4 and represent a broader tie-up than the one previously indicated by BBC Director General Matt Brittin to include Channel 4 content in the BBC's iPlayer, the people said.
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