BT is in talks to acquire the TV platform YouView, The Daily Telegraph reports. BT uses the platform to underpin its own TV service, as do other ISPs such as TalkTalk. Bids are thought to have reached GBP 60 million, after starting at GBP 20 million, the report said.
YouView started as a joint venture between the BBC, ITV, BT, Channel 4, TalkTalk, Arqiva and Channel 5 (Five). The platform was designed to be the next step after the DTT service Freeview. Instead it became more of a paid platform for BT and TalkTalk, and Freeview developed the Freeview Play service to delvier online content over set-top boxes and smart TVs.
BT would like to acquire Youview in order to develop it further, but TalkTalk is concerned about losing any say over its TV service. According to The Telegraph, most of YouView’s shareholders are interested in selling, while the BBC and TalkTalk are most concerned about the price and conditions.
