[RhysJR]

It does feel a little inevitable it could be in danger with the contract up this year, but The Sun is reporting that there has been no negotiations as of yet to renew.

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[Brekkie]

It's probably not in Love Production's interests to lock it in early - they'll be hoping C4 feel a bit more flush in a few months time.

If it does go a return to the BBC wouldn't surprise me.

[JMT1985]

I doubt Bake Off will leave Channel 4 - they had a great start at the BBC, and continued success on Channel 4, if they did leave, where would they go? Back to the BBC? Channel 5 ... oh dear.

Better the devil you know should be the approach now for Love Productions, Channel 4 is a brilliant home for it, and since 2017 they have made themselves a huge part of the channel.

[XIII]

Surely ITV1 would be in the running for Bake Off? Channel 5 I suspect can't afford it plus I think if they wanted any Channel 4 show it would be Gogglebox.

[Ash101]

The papers are reporting Netflix would be interested, but yes I would expect ITV would be very happy to step in ahead of them.

[Brekkie]

It doesn't feel like an ITV show but if they kept Alison and at least Paul it would probably be a smooth transition.

I do think ultimately it'll remain on C4 - it's not unusual at all when contract renewals are in the pipeline for the threat of another channel taking it to crop up. Of course too a channel struggling financially is not going to be axing what is likely one of it's most profitable programmes - yes, it's probably one with the biggest rights fee but they'll undoubtedly be profitting from it, and they do use Bake Off to launch a few shows too.

[cando]

It's a big contract that also includes the 3 spin-offs( the Professionals, Junior and Celebrity) and Pottery throwdown.
I think C4 will keep it in the end. I wouldn't be surprised if they try to offload the dull little watched professional series though.
ITV are cutting their programming budget slightly this year before inflation so I can't see them take on such a big commitment especially as the main Bake off itself is getting a bit tired. Zero chance the BBC are interested.

[cando]

Surely ITV1 would be in the running for Bake Off? Channel 5 I suspect can't afford it plus I think if they wanted any Channel 4 show it would be Gogglebox.

I'm pretty sure C4 signed a new deal for Gogglebox last year. There was rumours on here and in the industry that Studio Lambert got a hefty increase per episode as ITV was supposedly very interested.

[AaronTV]

Given Channel 4’s financial issues I wouldn’t necessarily be surprised if they simply couldn’t afford to renew the deal and it ended up with another broadcaster, but it would a huge failing on the part of the bosses.

Bake Off’s stock has definitely dropped since it moved from the BBC, but it’s by far Channel 4’s most valuable asset, so you would surely prioritise having cash spare for the Bake Off deal above all else?

Outside of Bake Off and Gogglebox, Channel 4 is struggling pretty severely at the moment and seems to be really quite lost, I think a change in leadership has been overdue for a while frankly.

[all new phil]

Given Channel 4’s financial issues I wouldn’t necessarily be surprised if they simply couldn’t afford to renew the deal and it ended up with another broadcaster, but it would a huge failing on the part of the bosses.

Bake Off’s stock has definitely dropped since it moved from the BBC, but it’s by far Channel 4’s most valuable asset, so you would surely prioritise having cash spare for the Bake Off deal above all else?

Outside of Bake Off and Gogglebox, Channel 4 is struggling pretty severely at the moment and seems to be really quite lost, I think a change in leadership has been overdue for a while frankly.

Think you’re pretty spot on here. Channel 4 constantly tells us it takes risks and is edgy, but outside the Russell Brand doc I can’t think of anything over the past 12 months that fits that description.