The Great British Bake Off, the biggest show on UK television, is to leave the BBC after talks broke down between the corporation and Love Productions.
The indie will seek a new home for the record-breaking format following a failed crunch meeting earlier today.
The corporation’s three year contract for Bake Off concludes with the seventh series, currently on air and delivering bumper ratings.
But Broadcast understands that a one-year hold back clause in that agreement means that ITV, Channel 4 or Sky would not be able to air the show until 2018.
BBC News cited a Love spokesman, who attributed the failed talks to “money and the development of the brand”. Broadcast was awaiting further comment at the time of publication.
Love has been pushing for a significantly increased production fee for the show, which it believes should be in line with entertainment formats. It originated from the BBC’s docs department and is still made on a factual tariff.
In contrast, the BBC has been stressing the role it played in nurturing and growing Bake Off, and the financial pressure it is under across the board.
A BBC spokesperson said: “Working with Love Productions, we have grown and nurtured the programme over seven series and created the huge hit it is today. We made a very strong offer to keep the show but we are a considerable distance apart on the money.
“The BBC’s resources are not infinite. GBBO is a quintessentially BBC programme. We hope Love Productions change their mind so that Bake Off can stay ad free on BBC1.”
Love would be in line for a huge windfall if, as expected, a major UK broadcaster picks up the brand. There was significant chatter at the Edinburgh International Television Festival that ITV is incredibly keen on the show, and it would seem its most natural alternative home.
Channel 4 is also thought to be potentially interested and Sky, which owns Love, could also be a contender.
- See this week’s Broadcast for more analysis.
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