The deal would give access to Breaking Bad broadcaster AMC’s advertising sales and distribution network
Frank Ockenfels 3/AMC
Gideon Spanier31 July 2014
AMC, the US broadcaster behind the TV drama Breaking Bad, is in advanced talks to buy a near-50% stake in the BBC’s commercial operation in the US.
The proposed deal would give the BBC America cable channel access to AMC’s advertising sales and distribution network.
BBC America, which broadcasts shows such as Dr Who, is owned by BBC Worldwide, the Beeb’s £1 billion-a-year commercial arm.
It is thought to be anxious to gain scale amid a wave of consolidation as Rupert Murdoch’s Fox bids for Time Warner and several top US cable operators merge.
BBC Worldwide reported this month that full-year sales in North America had fallen 5.2% to £342.5 million.
A spokesman said: “We do not comment on market rumours.”
