LONDON (Thomson Financial) - The BBC's commercial arm is courting private
equity firms to join a bid for Virgin Media Television, the owner of digital
television channels such as UKTV Drama, Bravo and UKTV Gold, the Sunday
Telegraph reported.
The Sunday Telegraph said that BBC Worldwide has begun talks with firms
including Cinven, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts and Providence Equity Partners about a
combined offer for Virgin Media Television, which includes the 50 per cent share
of the UKTV content business that the BBC does not already own.
The channels show programmes such as Planet Earth, Casualty, and Spooks.
Virgin Media, the New York-listed but British-based group, has instructed
Goldman Sachs to conduct a review of its content business and a sale is seen by
analysts as the most likely option.
edward.mcallister@thomsonreuters.com
ejm/cw
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