Great British Bake Off 'unaffected' by Sky ITV deal, Channel 4 confirms
A Sky ITV deal sparked fresh speculation over the hit baking contestThe Great British Bake Off is back in the spotlight after the Sky ITV merger deal sparked fresh speculation about the Channel 4 show.
It was recently announced that ITV has agreed the sale of its media and entertainment business to Sky for up to £1.6 billion.
Following this news, a report claimed that Bake Off could move from Channel 4 to ITV. The Sun reported that as part of the deal ITV Studios would receive Sky’s Love Productions, the creator of Bake Off.
That fuelled fresh talk about Bake Off’s future on Channel 4. However, the broadcaster has insisted its arrangement is safe.
Channel 4 moved quickly to shut down the chatter. A Channel 4 and Love Productions spokesperson said: “Channel 4’s GBBO deal is with Love and as such is unaffected by the Sky ITV deal.”
Why Bake Off on Channel 4 still looks safe
The broadcaster also said the current agreement remains in place. It added: “The show’s existing multi-year agreement with Love remains in place meaning Bake Off fans will be able to continue to enjoy the show on Channel 4 as usual.”
What the merger changed, and what it did not
Bake Off first aired on the BBC in 2010. It became one of the corporation’s biggest hits before moving to Channel 4 in 2017.
Since then, the series has stayed one of Channel 4’s most-watched programmes. A source recently told The Sun: “The whole industry is talking about Bake Off moving yet again, which would be a tremendous coup for ITV but bad news for C4 as it is their most-watched show.”
Channel 4’s response suggests viewers should not expect an immediate switch. The broadcaster said the existing multi-year deal with Love still stands.
It also says fans can keep watching the show on Channel 4 as normal.
What happens next for Bake Off on Channel 4?
A new series is due later this year. Nigella Lawson will join Paul Hollywood at the judging table. Noel Fielding and Alison Hammond will return as presenters.
That means Bake Off on Channel 4 is set to stay on screens for the next run. The familiar line-up will return too. The only unanswered question is how long the current deal lasts.
However, it’s unclear how long the deal will last.
The wider Sky-ITV deal will also reshape the TV landscape. ITV’s terrestrial channels and ITVX will merge with Sky to create a new company aimed at taking on global streaming rivals. Sky has also committed to spending at least £2.1 billion on the partnership between 2028 and 2032.
For now, Channel 4 has made its position clear. Bake Off is not going anywhere just yet, despite the industry noise around the merger.
