The BBC has officially started the sale process for its broadcast unit by placing advertisements for it in the Financial Times and trade magazine Broadcast.

The corporation confirmed back in December that it planned to start accepting bids for the unit, which provides playout and transmission services for the BBC and other broadcasters. An internal review 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 has a great relationship with BBC Broadcast and we are committed to finding a long-term partner that can not only continue to deliver the outstanding quality of services back to the BBC, but also help BBC Broadcast continue to develop in new markets," said the BBC's director of business development, Peter Phillips. "Staff issues and the right cultural fit will also be an important part of this deal."

The corporation says that it hopes to conclude the sale by the summer - and, in a nod to union opposition to the BBC's decision to sell its Technology unit in 2004, noted that it plans to be in "full consultation" with unions "throughout the sale process."