ITV & Channel 4 eye-up UKTV

digital spy says_

ITV and Channel 4 have held talks about taking a stake in the UKTV network, according to this week's Broadcast.

The broadcaster, which operates ten digital channels including UKTV Gold and UKTV Style, is a 50-50 joint venture between the BBC and Telewest content division Flextech.

Both parties are interested in adding another major company to the mix in order to expand UKTV's programming lineup.

ITV has already turned down one offer to become a partner but is still said to be interested. Channel 4, meanwhile, has held "high level discussions" in recent months over a similar offer.

...interesting. Perhaps if ITV & Channel4 do share a stake in UKTV we will definently see a change programming wise. Wonder if we would see shows like Classic Corrie/Emmerdale, The Golden Girls, Crossroads, Brookside, Roseanne etc. on UKTV Gold in the future if this stake went through?

I shudder to think! If this move erases Local Heroes or any of Adam Hart-Davis' 'What the (insert historical era here) Did For Us', then I will march to their HQ and box their ears!

Meh, it probably means the lifestyle channels will inherit all the ITV/C4 programmes of that ilk - if that happens, what effect will it have on the Discovery network?

I can't see C4 being interested considering they don't make any programmes - and if they have the digital rights they'll want them for More 4 and E4.

I'm all for ITV donating its older back catalogue I just hope they don't start getting any ideas of taking it over.

Also what would this mean for ITV3?

Am I right in thinking that UK Gold was originally a partnership between the BBC and Thames? Indeed I'm pretty sure that presentation for UK Gold was originally done at Euston Road and I recall seing old Thames shows such as "Man About the House". In which case, when did UK Gold lose the right to show Thames programmes?

it stills shows the bill

Yep, you are indeed correct in thinking that.


Probably around the time Flextech got involved . . .