BBC eyes Virgin Media TV

The BBC’s commercial arm, BBC Worldwide, has reportedly begun talks with private equity houses, including KKR, Providence Equity Partners and Cinven, about joining forces to bid for Virgin Media Television.

The Sunday Telegraph said that the BBC is after acquiring the 50% stake of the UKTV content business that it does not already own. Virgin Media TV owns the other 50% holding in UKTV, which comprises UKTV History, UKTV Style, UKTV Drama and Dave.

Virgin Media TV, analysts believe, is worth around £800m.

Goldman Sachs is understood to be advising Virgin Media.