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BBC business development director Peter Phillips was quotd by international
media reports as saying, "We were really impressed with both
the number and quality of companies expressing a serious interest
in buying BBC Broadcast.
"We will shortly be beginning a rigorous evaluation of the
18 bidders, including assessing their effectiveness as long term
business partners of the BBC and their cultural fit, to produce
a shortlist towards the end of May."
BBC Broadcast is Europe's leading expert in the distribution and
promotion of multimedia content and it offers a comprehensive range
of services to play-out, publish, promote and provide media access
for content across all media, from TV to mobile phones.
The sale follows on from the corporation's internal review of its
commercial businesses. The review team concluded that, whilst the
services provided by BBC Broadcast are vital to the BBC, they did
not necessarily need to remain owned by the BBC.
The BBC believes that the combination of a new commercial owner
and a partnership approach with the successful bidder will mean
that the BBC can continue the strong relationship it has built up
with BBC Broadcast.
A new owner will provide the business with opportunities for growth
which are not available whilst it is owned by the BBC, but with
the stability of an on-going contract in place with the BBC.
It is expected that the sale of BBC Broadcast and its management
and staff to the successful bidder will take place by the end of
the summer, subject to contract negotiations and regulatory approvals.
The BBC will be in full consultation with unions throughout the
sale process.
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