AMC Networks in Talks to Buy 50 Percent of BBC America

A partnership would allow the companies to share resources amid a changing industry

AMC, BBC America

AMC is in discussions with BBC Worldwide for 50 percent of its United States cable television channel, BBC America.

Individuals with knowledge of the situation told Bloomberg News that BBC Worldwide is looking for a partnership that would allow it to cut costs, use AMC’s advertising sales, distribution networks and tap into AMC’s programming team.

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AMC would pay for its stake in cash and majority ownership of BBC America would stay with BBC.

Together, AMC and BBC could better weather the changing media landscape. AMC would be able to renegotiate cable costs for BBC America and its family of channels, including AMC, WE tv, IFC and SundanceTV.

Bloomberg’s analysts currently value BBC America at $200 million and AMC at $4.41 billion.

Also read: BBC News Division Cutting 415 Jobs, Reducing Budget by 26 Percent

A BBC America spokesman told TheWrap, it “has just recorded eight straight years of growth and has never been stronger in brand, ratings, advertising or critical acclaim. We do not comment on market rumors and speculation.”

A representative for AMC Networks declined to comment on this story.

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