Following the UK government’s confirmation that it will privatise Channel 4, interested parties are reportedly beginning to enquire about possible acquisitions.
According to the Sunday Times, the broadcaster could be sold for a sum as high as £2 billion, double the amount previously suggested.
It adds that bankers JP Morgan, who are handling the sale for the government, has already begun fielding inquiries.
Possible buyers include ITV, Comcast which owns Sky, Channel 5’s owner Paramount, Discovery and French company Vivendi.
The sale is going ahead despite 96 per cent of respondents to the government’s own consultation on the future of Channel 4 stating they were against it being sold off.
Last week the government published a white paper on the future of the TV industry in the UK. It is due to be presented to parliament this month and could come into force by 2024.
