Report: BBC Worldwide Eyes Greater Control of UKTV

LONDON, April 21:
According to press reports, BBC Worldwide is looking for a private-equity firm
to partner with to buy out Virgin Media’s stake in the UKTV joint venture.

BBC Worldwide and Virgin
Media Television are 50-50 partners in the UKTV portfolio of British channels,
which include UKTV Food and UKTV History. The Wall Street Journal reports that ten firms, including Providence
Equity Partners, have submitted bids to participate in the buyout. The deal could
be completed by the summer.

Reports also indicate that
there could be a bid for the entire Virgin Media Television portfolio, which
includes channels like LIVING and Challenge.

—By Mansha Daswani