With Sky buying ITV, are the BBC and Channel 4 now merging? Here's what's happening to free TV in the UK

UK TV apps with remote control pointing at the TV — (Image credit: Rik Henderson / Future)

Quick Summary

On the back of the announcement that Sky is buying ITV, the BBC has confirmed that it's in talks with Channel 4 to include its shows in BBC iPlayer.

But what does that mean to your daily TV viewing? And is the Beeb therefore merging with Channel 4? We explain all.

UK TV is changing. Sky's acquisition of ITV may have made several guarantees over the future of ITV shows and channels, but the long-term impact will be profound. For starters, we'll be getting a new "integrated" streaming service that will likely be ITVX and Now combined into one.

But perhaps the biggest impact on our daily TV viewing will be from rivals who won't want to be left behind. After all, Sky / ITV would become a major, if not the biggest, force in paid and free TV if the buyout is approved.

That's perhaps why the BBC is on the lookout for partners in its own ambitions. And it seems Channel 4 could be first to jump on board.

Is the BBC merging with Channel 4?

A combined Sky and ITV will become the largest commercial broadcaster the UK has ever seen next year, if the deal is approved by regulators. Sky has said that this will not impact on ITV's public service broadcasting commitments, so its channels and programmes should remain on Freeview for everyone to enjoy.

There are a number of other things that could change, such as ITV's sports coverage, but the biggest announcement so far is the creation of a new streaming service to take on the likes of Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Disney+.

That has seemingly put the Beeb's nose out of joint the most. Its BBC iPlayer service is the biggest free streaming platform in the UK, and it has endeavoured to create its own super-streaming service for years.

Project Kangaroo was killed by the Competition Commission before it could get off the ground. That would have seen the BBC, ITV and Channel 4 collaborate on a new service to tackle Netflix, but it wasn't to be.

Then Britbox, which did have its day in the sun, ended up being incorporated into ITVX before dissipating into a fine mist.

And now, with ITV becoming part of the Comcast / Sky machine, ambitions to create a single streaming service with all major free-to-air broadcasters seem to be over. But that hasn't deterred the BBC completely.

Brittin has proposed bringing Channel 4 content into iPlayer, emboldening the existing service in the face of increased competition coming from Sky and ITV next year. Channel 4 will keep its own voice and business model – ie. advertising – but viewers could watch BBC and Channel 4 shows without having to switch apps.

"We have had an approach and a discussion with Channel 4," said the director general (via Cordbusters). It's therefore something both parties want to progress with.

What it's not is a merger. This will be a partnership between two separate broadcasters for their streaming activities only. It is unlikely to affect the channel line up on Freeview or Freely. Or their respective TV productions.

And what about 5, will that join the new BBC venture?

Here's where the picture gets a little muddier. The UK's other main broadcaster, 5, is owned by Paramount, which operates its own paid streaming platform, Paramount+.

It is unlikely therefore to become part of the BBC / Channel 4 or Sky / ITV services. If anything, we might see Paramount take on the other platforms by integrating 5 into Paramount+ or whatever service emerges after the company's acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery.

That is already expected to see HBO Max and Paramount+ combine, so maybe that will also include a free advertising-funded option in the 5 service.

Whatever happens, the coming year will be seismic for the future of streaming in the UK, but is unlikely to impact the current TV channels much.

Will Freely still operate in the same way?

One other question people ask me is how all of this will impact the free TV streaming platform Freely. It essentially offers a Freeview-like experience, with live TV channels and access to the broadcaster's apps, but delivers all programming over the internet rather than an arial, cable or satellite dish.

Well, it's hard to say for absolutely sure, but Freely has agreements with the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and 5, as well the U network, and they'll likely continue no matter the owner.

But, if each of the brand's streaming service changes, Freely would have to point instead to the new apps for catch-up content and features.

We'll undoubtedly find out more in the coming months.

Rik is T3’s news editor, which means he looks after the news team and the up-to-the-minute coverage of all the hottest gadgets and products you’ll definitely want to read about. And, with more than 35 years of experience in tech and entertainment journalism, including editing and writing for numerous websites, magazines, and newspapers, he’s always got an eye on the next big thing.

Rik also has extensive knowledge of AV, TV streaming and smart home kit, plus just about everything to do with games since the late 80s. Prior to T3, he spent 13 years at Pocket-lint heading up its news team, and was a TV producer and presenter on such shows as Channel 4's GamesMaster, plus Sky's Games World, Game Over, and Virtual World of Sport.