Bidders roll up for Channel 5
March 3, 2014
By Chris Forrester
Britain’s Channel 5 network is up for sale and widespread reports over the weekend cite a number of potential bidders, each of which has looked at the assets on sale.
Discovery Communications is said to have tabled a joint bid with pay-TV giant BSkyB. The proposal is stated to have Discovery managing the free-to-air network with BSkyB responsible for media sales.
Viacom, Saban Capital and Scripps Networks Interactive are three other reported bidders. Channel 5’s controversial owner, Richard Desmond, is reportedly seeking $1.2 billion (£700m) for the network.
Other bid rumours cited telco BT and Comcast/NBC-Universal as having looked at Channel 5’s books.