[WillPS]

So let’s say C4 do decide to pull the plug, will they then need permission from Bauer to do so with the branded channels (except 4Music) and seeing as Red Bee control the running and output of them they’d have to be involved too.

They won't need Bauer's permission, but they will likely have to pay Bauer to the end of whatever licensing agreement was committed to (if any remains). The same goes for Red Bee.

Quite possibly the two contracts were deliberately aligned, or one is already in a run off pending the other running out.