The BBC, which owns 50% of 10 UKTV channels with Flextech, will now talk to the remaining bidders, believed to include BSkyB, RTL, which owns terrestrial broadcaster Five, and three US firms, Time Warner, Viacom and Discovery, about a possible deal while the two cable giants tie up their merger.
It is possible that the BBC could buy the remaining 50% stake in its UKTV channels, under a change of ownership clause that gives it first refusal on the business.
BBC Worldwide chief executive John Smith said meetings would be held in the next two weeks.
He also quashed rumours that Sky is not a preferred bidder because of its competition with free-to-air digital satellite service Freeview.
He said BBC Worldwide would be very happy with Sky running its channels.

Posted: 10|5|05 at 8:05 am. Filed under: UK News.