Media
BBC Worldwide seeks acquisition funds
Published Thursday, Feb 7 2008, 16:56 GMT | By Dave West
BBC Worldwide has confirmed it is seeking private equity funds for potential acquisitions.
It follows reports it is in talks with investors and other content firms to borrow up to £1bn.
The BBC commercial division is said to be keen to buy content producers but is subject to a £350m statutory borrowing limit.
A private equity source told the Financial Times: "They're at the very early stages of exploring what they could do with third parties and private equity."
He warned Worldwide's expansion plans could be hampered by "the thousand layers of bureaucracy" of the corporation and the BBC Trust.
A BBC Worldwide spokesman said discussions with equity firms were "nothing new" and added: "It is part of ongoing conversations we've been having for some time."
It follows reports it is in talks with investors and other content firms to borrow up to £1bn.
The BBC commercial division is said to be keen to buy content producers but is subject to a £350m statutory borrowing limit.
A private equity source told the Financial Times: "They're at the very early stages of exploring what they could do with third parties and private equity."
He warned Worldwide's expansion plans could be hampered by "the thousand layers of bureaucracy" of the corporation and the BBC Trust.
A BBC Worldwide spokesman said discussions with equity firms were "nothing new" and added: "It is part of ongoing conversations we've been having for some time."
More: Media, Broadcasting
TV Ratings
Latest 'TOWIE' grabs nearly 950k on ITV2ITV1 edges BBC One last night thanks to coverage of Champions League football.
Tube Talk
'Simpsons' ultimate countdown (10-6)What is the ultimate Simpsons episode? Our countdown continues.
US TV Ratings
'American Idol' grabs 18.6m for FoxAmerican Idol leads Fox to an easy Wednesday night primetime victory.
TV Interviews
'Upstairs Downstairs' Neil Jackson Q&ANeil Jackson chats to Digital Spy about Upstairs Downstairs series two.












