BBC Announces Successful Bidder for BBC Outside Broadcasts

LONDON, March 7: The BBC
has selected SIS as the preferred bidder for the Outside Broadcasts division of
its commercial subsidiary, BBC Resources.

The selection of SIS
follows a rigorous evaluation process of bids from financial and industry
buyers. The BBC intends to exchange contracts and transfer the Outside
Broadcasts business and staff in the near future.

BBC Outside Broadcasts
provides outside broadcast production facilities and services to both the BBC
and other customers. It operates a large fleet of television production units
plus sound, support and communications vehicles and special cameras.

The business supports
events ranging from music festivals, drama productions and major state occasions,
to Wimbledon, the Olympics and World Cup football.

The sale follows a review
of the corporation’s commercial businesses. Last summer, BBC Outside
Broadcasts, BBC Studios and BBC Post Production, which operate under the BBC
Resources banner, were put up for sale.

Due
to what it has referred to as “the complex nature of this process,” the BBC has
decided to complete the sale of its Outside Broadcasts business first while
continuing discussions for Post Production. The Studios business will be
retained by the corporation.

Mark Tugwell, the director
of BBC Outside Broadcasts, said: "It's time for our business to flourish
under new ownership, without the constraints of BBC ownership. The decision is
absolutely right for our business and for our staff, and I'm looking forward to
working with SIS to realize our potential."

SIS’s chief executive,
David Holdgate, added: "This is an ideal acquisition for SIS; it's a
perfect fit with our existing SISLink and sports coverage, and crosses all
parts of our business. SISLink markets its services to a very similar customer
base.”

Continued Holdgate:
"The quality of the BBC's outside broadcasts is legendary and we are
delighted that SIS will be working closely with the talented staff that deliver
these services, and will have its part to play in helping them build on that
reputation over the years to come."

—By Irene Lew