Two of the world’s richest media groups are interested in taking over Britains leading commercial broadcaster ITV. Although funded by advertising, ITV has for many years carried out a quasi-public service role.
Viacom, the world’s largest media group, confirmed it might consider a deal, as did Saban Capital Group, the US private equity company led by Haim Saban, the media entrepreneur. Both offers are conditional on a merger between the two ITV companies Carlton and Granada.
Meanwhile Greg Dyke, Director-General of the BBC, Britains leading public broadcaster, has launched a scathing attack on the “small coterie in Downing Street” behind new laws that will allow ITV being taken over by an American company for the first time.