BBC bosses set to 'hold inquiry' into how it lost The Great British Bake Off
Bosses at the BBC are reportedly planning to hold an inquiry in to how the broadcaster lost The Great British Bake Off (GBBO) to Channel 4.
The Great British Bake Off
The hit show was snapped up by Channel 4 in a £75m deal over three years after the BBC's factual department, which ran GBBO, refused to pay £25m a year demanded by the production company and offered £15m.
An insider told The Mirror that the BBC could have retained the show if the entertainment department had been asked to supplement the shortfall of £10m.
“BBC bosses are furious there was no joined-up thinking. All the departments run far too separately, with no cross-over," said the source.
"The entertainment department could have made up the difference for the factual section. Now there’s a full review to look at the whole system of departments. The public doesn’t care which one produces what show. They just want the best programmes from the BBC.
“To lose a show like Bake Off is such a huge blow to the corporation – the sort of thing that makes people question the licence fee. It’s antiquated for departments to run so separately and compete with each other, rather than work in the best interests of the BBC as a whole.”
Presenters Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins have both opted out of moving with the show to Channel 4. While judges Paul Hollywood and Mary Berry are set to be offered up to £350,000 annually if they sign.