ITV has reportedly taken advice as to whether its bankers Credit Suisse and Robey Warshaw as to whether it should submit a bid for Channel 4.
It’s thought Channel 4 could be sold off for around £1 billion.
The Telegraph suggests ITV is considering a bid for the broadcaster, which would lead to it controlling 70 per cent of the British TV advertising market.
A source told the newspaper: “The best bet for the UK is that ITV and Channel 4 combine so the nation has one strong commercial public service broadcaster.
“A merger of ITV and Channel 4’s streaming services would create a much more substantial player in the digital space,” added the source. “It would double in size and be classed as a proper contender to the Americans.”
UK culture secretary Nadine Dorries announced on Monday that the government is to go ahead with its plans to privatise Channel 4. That has been met with dismay from across the UK TV industry.
Full details of the government’s plans are expected to be included in a yet-to-be-published white paper.
Other companies said to be interested in purchasing Channel 4 include Sky, Discovery and Channel 5’s owner Paramount.
