The extra channels were largely in responce to new requirements in the charter to better serve wider demos which the two channels alone didn't really allow because there isn't enough hours in a day to do it on two channels especially when they started to expand. Also they are required to be pushing technological advancements such as HD

Sure, there are hundred of channels, but an awful lot of them are just a delivery mechanism for recycling the same old tired programming. What sets the BBC apart is that it is an originator of new programming, which, incidentally, have been the mainstay of many of thes other channels. If the BBC is unable to afford to make new programming what are we going to be left with? Third rate US dramas, banal docusoaps and endless re-showings of Only Fools & Horses? Without a public sector broadcaster like the BBC I suspect that the quality and range of programmes will deteriorate even further and it will become a race to the bottom. Look around and see it happening.

I believe Labour made the Beeb do the 'window of creative opportunity' business totalling 25% which means that indies get an opportunity up against BBC 'in-house'. So currently, 25% has to be outsourced, another 25% is indies vs BBC 'in-house' with the remaining 50% being BBC 'in-house'. You are right to say that the Tories want 100% of the content to be outsourced barring News, some current affairs and some childrens'. Given today's events, some serious lessons need to be learn't and questions asked. Outsourced contracts need to be much stronger and tighter going forward. No indie should have the 'use the BBC' mentality.

I'm sure the people on here who are attacking the BBC for letting the show go would be attacking them if they'd paid the inflated price asked of them. So they really can't win.

Eat Well For Less I actually enjoy WatchIng more

More of the working class program, no posh middle class toffs

As someone who has only rarely watched the show and is surprised at how overhyped it is, it's no loss if it does move to C4 - for those that still want to watch it they can still for free.

In one of the reports linked to earlier in the thread (from the Guardian), it was a little surprising that none of the stars were consulted during negotations... it does seem that it's the chemistry between the presenters (rather than the rather simple show itself) that lifts this from a Sunday morning filler to the ratings juggernaut it has become... so without getting any agreement with the presenters to come with the show to C4 is a bit of a risk.

Any ideas what programmes Channel 4 are going to have to drop to pay for it?

Are you high on your nail varnish at the moment toots?

In the long term the advertisers will pay for the product, we should all congratulate channel 4 for some nifty business.

You really have to laugh at the bloated BBC and their £5,000,000,000 per annum income. They couldn't even compete with another broadcaster who are on just a small percentage of their scrounging money.

I suspect if the BBC had competed and used more of licence fee payer's money that you would criticise them for that too so basically they can't win.

Yes the BBC has more money than channel 4 but it also uses that to pay for a much wider array of service's including many radio station's including local one's so your comparison of channel 4 with the BBC in that regard really isn't relevant.

The BBC is a public service and that's enshrined in law so it's just like any other business.

If the hosts/judges don't go to C4, what's to stop the BBC from producing literally the same show under a new name? If they can call it their own, there's no risk of something like this happening again.

Love Productions don't own the concept of a baking show. New name, same 10 million+ viewers.

BBC still wins, right?

I always thought it was produced by the BBC . Amazed it was a private company . So is it made entirely away from the BBC or does this private company with all its own staff move into a BBC studio to film it?

Great shame the BBC has lost so many great programmes due to the excessive greed of commercial outfits .
I bet there will be a big drop in viewers when it does move .

I believe the winning formula for Bake Off was Mary and Paul . If they are not part f the set up it won't be as successful .

well my first reaction is to let C4 be privateised if this is how they wish to behave.

I guess its better than it going to ITV, but god I hope Love Productions is unoffically banned from recieving licence fee payers money in the money, not sure I like that they are not just going to profit from it, with a show no longer on the BBC.

Am surprised BBC are getting rid of it they will regret it.

I suspect Love Productions will regret it more, can't see them getting much work from the BBC now

So it goes to Channel 4, better than ITV I guess but a catastrophe for the BBC. If Channel 4 can afford it I'm sure the BBC could.

As someone who does watch GGBO this is one of the best posts on the thread.

If the presenters all stay then it will be minor tweaks to a successful format. People will either still watch it or not.

If they don't then they need good replacements.

And just remember everyone.... It's just a programme about baking

Of course they will, if there is a product that the BBC want to air. People in business or in professional capacity don't behave like some of the sulky posters on this forum and hold a grudge, they recognise that it is simply business, and nothing personal.

It will be interesting to see where this leaves the other programmes they make for the BBC - The Great Sport Relief Bake Off, Bake Off: Crème De La Crème, The Great British Sewing Bee and The Chronicles of Nadiya which is currently showing on BBC. Will the BBC have a hissy fit and drop the lot?

Why cut your nose off to spite your face?

anything with Bake Off in the title, would go to C4 I would have thought. There is no point in the BBC airing Bake Off: Crème De La Crème, its just going to cause confusion, and only benefit C4, and Loves profits.

The Great British Sewing Bee is its own contract, but it would be no huge loss. & The Chronicles of Nadiya ( I just checked) is a Love production, but unless she is tied to working only for Love for X number of years after her apperance on GBBO, there is no reason she cant work with another production company.

no big deal if these shows leave the beeb in my opinion

I have read two press reports, one stated that C4 paid £20m per year for it, the other stated £25m per year

Seeing as the BBC got castigated for spending £22m for 2 seasons of another bought-in format (The Voice), there would no doubt have been a similar outcry had they paid this sort of crazy money.

Wrong . There are umpteen programmes about all kinds of cooking, but the producers of BO were very lucky to find such a winning combination as Mary and Paul, who make it such a ratings winner .