Grade set to forge links with BBC

Michael Grade, chief executive of Channel 4, said yesterday he would like his station to make a strategic shift in alliances, and work closely with the BBC, to collaborate in areas such as film production, drama and purchasing rights to Hollywood films, writes Maggie Brown.

Addressing the Broadcasting Press Guild in London, he said Channel 4 had been rebuffed by ITV over every opportunity to work together, and that as they were competing for advertising revenue co-operation did not seem possible. In contrast, Channel 4 was committed to public service broadcasting, but was not competing for income with the BBC.

He said he had had talks with the BBC and in areas such as schools and educational broadcasting they could save money by collaborating on programmes.