BBC loses Great British Bake Off, as ITV set to swoop for corporation's biggest show

The current series of The Great British Bake Off will be the last to air on the BBC after the company behind the baking programme broke off talks to renew their contract with the corporation.



Love Productions, which makes the programme, confirmed this evening that it had been "unable to reach agreement on terms to renew the commission of The Great British Bake Off," after negotiations that had dragged on for more than a year.

The company is understood to be keen to seal a deal with a free to air broadcaster, and ITV is seen to be the most likely destination for the show.

In an email to all staff, Love Productions said: "We are writing to let you all know that, with deep regret, after more than a year of exhaustive negotiations we have been unable to reach an agreement with the BBC for the renewal of The Great British Bake Off.

"We feel it is very important to let you all know as soon as possible because there has been a lot of inaccurate reporting in the media about the negotiations and we want you to be aware of the main facts.

"We are really saddened by this outcome because we always wanted to stay on the BBC. As recently as June we were convinced that was what would happen. This has never been about who might write the biggest cheque, but about where we can find the best home for Bake Off.

"Unfortunately we were unable to agree either a fair valuation, and nor were the BBC able to provide the necessary comfort for the future protection of such a distinctive and much-loved television series."

The company added in a statement: “After an extraordinary six-year journey with the BBC, Love Productions announces with regret that it has been unable to reach agreement on terms to renew the commission of The Great British Bake Off.

"We will now be focusing on finding a new partner to develop the familiar show that the British public turn to in their millions.

"Love Productions would like to thank the BBC for the role it played in making this show such an enormous hit, and the faith they showed in us over the years to develop it.”

Great British Bake Off: Channel 4 to broadcast show as BBC loses rights



The Great British Bake Off will switch to Channel 4 following its current series after rights negotiations between the BBC and the show’s production company collapsed amid a disagreement over price.

The BBC indicated that financial demands made by Love Productions now made the programme “unaffordable”, leaving Channel 4 to take on the most popular programme on British television in a three-series deal.

Jay Hunt, Channel 4’s chief creative officer, said the broadcaster was thrilled to have secured the show. She said: “I’m delighted we have been able to partner with the hugely talented team at Love Productions to keep this much-loved show on free-to-air television.”

The channel switch risks Bake Off losing its popular judges Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood, as well as its hosts Mel and Sue. None of its stars were consulted during the negotiations.

Both Hollywood and Berry have been vocal about their loyalty to Bake Off remaining on the BBC, but it is understood Love Productions is keen to retain all the presenters at the show’s new home.

In an internal email to staff, the production company said it was “really saddened by this outcome because we always wanted to stay on the BBC ... this has never been about who might write the biggest cheque but about where we can find the best home for Bake Off”.

It added: “Unfortunately we were unable to agree either a fair valuation, nor were the BBC able to provide the necessary comfort for the future protection of such a distinctive and much-loved television series.”

The popularity of the show means it could be worth a commercial broadcaster paying £20m a year. Love Productions is also 70% owned by pay-TV company Sky, although insiders said it was keen to stay with a free-to-air broadcaster.

The launch episode of series seven drew in a record audience of 10 million viewers, the largest ever for the BBC show. Nearly half the total viewing audience tuned in to watch the new batch of 12 contestants try their hand at making jaffa cakes.

Negotiations between the BBC and Love Productions broke down on Monday after the two sides realised that there was “considerable distance” between them. Love is said to have asked for four times the previous amount of money, a figure which the BBC baulked at.

Losing Bake Off is a huge blow to the broadcaster, which has described it as a “quintessential” BBC programme and which it takes credit for launching.

A BBC spokesman said: “We made a very strong offer to keep the show, but we are a considerable distance apart on the money. The BBC’s resources are not infinite.”