Channel 4 boss reveals how The Great British Bake Off could end up making a return to the BBC

The Great British Bake Off could be available on BBC iPlayer again one day.

The beloved baking show – which kicked off its 17th season last week – moved from the BBC to Channel 4 in 2017 after Love Productions, the company that makes the programme, signed a deal with the rival broadcaster.

But speaking at the Royal Television Society London Convention, Channel 4 boss Priya Dogra said that she’d be open to letting Channel 4 content stream on iPlayer.

Asked if she was serious about a collaboration, she responded (via Deadline): "I don’t see why not."

Dogra, who has been the CEO of Channel 4 since March, added: "There’s lots of considerations because Channel 4 content is monetised by advertising, so iPlayer has to accommodate that.

"But the idea of having a platform that’s British-owned, that showcases public service broadcasting content, particularly content that’s made without profit motive, I think is important."

However, Dogra dismissed the possibility of a merger, saying: “I don’t want to merge with the BBC because it will be a takeover by the BBC."

It comes after BBC director-general Matt Brittin revealed in July that the corporation was in talks with Channel 4 to host its content on iPlayer.

The former Google executive argued the move would be in Channel 4’s interests because the broadcaster looks "subscale" amid the Sky and ITV merger.

"All of these mergers are driven by the need to have scale. Channel 4 looks very subscale. One opportunity for them would be, in partnership with the BBC, having content on iPlayer that continues to be ad-funded," Brittin explained.

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As well as Bake Off, some of Channel 4's other popular TV formats include Taskmaster, Gogglebox, Come Dine with Me and Hollyoaks. Could we see them on BBC iPlayer in the future?

The Great British Bake Off returned to our screens this month with returning presenters Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding joined by returning judge Paul Hollywood.

The episode also saw Nigella Lawson make her debut as Hollywood’s co-host, as fans said goodbye to outgoing judge Prue Leith in a fun Doctor Who homage, which saw Prue regenerate into Nigella next to a TARDIS in the garden.

The Great British Bake Off continues on Tuesday 6 October at 8pm on Channel 4.

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Authors

Molly Moss is a Trends Writer for Radio Times, covering the latest trends across TV, film and more. She has an MA in Newspaper Journalism and has previously written for publications including The Guardian, The Times and The Sun Online.