BBC Three "not for sale" as TV production companies make approach

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TV production companies Avalon and Hat Trick have reportedly approached the BBC with a view to buying BBC Three, but the corporation has responded by saying the channel is "not for sale".

BBC Three is to be closed as a broadcast channel and moved online under proposals confirmed by the BBC Trust last March, but the two production companies are now looking to keep it on TV.

In a statement, Avalon and Hat Trick pledged to retain BBC Three's presence on its current digital platforms and also vowed to increase its programme budget from £81m to £100m per year.

MORE: BBC confirms plans to close BBC Three; channel to be 'reinvented' online

BBC head of press Sam Hodges, however, has taken to Twitter to refute claims that BBC Three is to be sold by the corporation: "Hate to kill a good PR stunt but BBC Three isn't for sale".

That stance was backed by BBC Three controller Damian Kavanagh in a blog post, stating: "BBC Three is not closing and BBC Three is not for sale.

"We’d be kidding ourselves if we ignored the fact the BBC Three audience is online, and increasingly so. They just are. This proposal meets how young people live their lives."

A consultation process has been launched by the BBC Trust, which will let you have your say on the future of BBC Three – together with other proposals for the corporation's output.

MORE: Amazon and Netflix are changing the TV landscape

[via BBC]

Pete Hayman

Pete was content editor on What Hi-Fi?, overseeing production and publication of digital content. In creating and curating feature articles for web and print consumption, he provided digital and editorial expertise and support to help reposition What Hi-Fi? as a ‘digital-first’ title; reflecting the contemporary media trends. He is now a senior content strategist.