The BBC could be set to lose its most popular show, with reports that the production team behind juggernaut ’The Great British Bake Off’ are eyeing a move to ITV.
The BBC’s contract with Love Productions, the telly maestros who’ve made such a hit out of the simple pleasures of baking in a tent, is set to expire this year, which means other channels can bid for the rights.
As well as ITV, Channel 4 and Sky are both reported to be understandably keen to bag the show, hosted by Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins, with judges Paul Hollywood and Mary Berry.
The Daily Mail reports that the creators are not naive about the value of the show, with reports they’ve set a £20million price tag for the next contract - a figure that, if anything near accurate, would price the BBC out of the market.
The high figure is justified by the consistent ratings on the surprise hit. Last year’s series, the sixth in the show’s run, was the most popular yet, with the final episode drawing more than 15million viewers. Nadiya Hussain was crowned 2015 champion, a popular victory that changed the life of the former housewife, turned magazine columnist and TV presenter.
It will be a bad day at the Beeb if they do lose ‘Bake Off’, particularly following the disastrous rebooted ‘Top Gear’, which finished its first series this weekend with dismal ratings, and calls for the presenting line-up to be rehashed for the second series. ‘The Voice’ has already passed through the doors of the Corporation, with Will.i.am today confirmed he is staying on as a coach in its new home at ITV from next year.
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