Who could buy the diffuser Business

Britain’s biggest commercial broadcaster is said to be keen to strike a deal with Channel 4 in the event of privatisation. Such a move would help preserve ITV’s future by giving it a much larger scale. It would have the potential to cut costs by merging back office operations and group buying advertising.

Arguably, these savings could help ITV chief Carolyn McCall’s broadcaster compete with Netflix by spending more on original shows. ITV would also be comfortable with maintaining Channel 4’s remit as a public service broadcaster, given that it follows similar rules.

Still, he could struggle to get a rapprochement with competition authorities, with advertising groups already fearing it will reduce choice and increase the cost of TV ads on free-to-air TV.

Primordial

The American entertainment company has been held up as an example by ministers as the sort of “deep-pocketed” funder who could take control of Channel 4.

Paramount owns Channel 5 and has been widely credited with bringing about a broadcaster resurgence with hit shows such as All Creatures Great and Small and Our Yorkshire Farm.

The combination of Channel 4 and Channel 5 would create a major UK broadcaster, but not in the same league as a combination with ITV. The question is whether the company behind Comedy Central and MTV would consider spending big on Channel 4 as it rolls out its global Paramount+ streaming service.

Sky

The pay-TV giant could seek to deepen its relationship with Channel 4 by buying the broadcaster. Sky already has strong business ties with Channel 4 through Adsmart, the service which delivers targeted advertising to viewers.

They struck a deal last year for even more programs on Channel 4’s All4 streaming service to appear on Sky. Previous deals have seen Formula 1 highlights appear on the free-to-air broadcaster, while retaining live rights on Sky.

Andrew Griffith’s position as the Prime Minister’s new policy chief will further fuel speculation over a potential deal given he is a former Sky executive.