MediaForEurope (MfE), the media concern controlled by former Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi, says it will consider a bid for the UK’s Channel 4 when the public broadcaster is put up for sale.
The home of the Great British Bake Off, Dispatches and Hollyoaks couldn’t be further away from the brash image of the former Mediaset group of channels.
“When it is put on the block, we will surely look at it,” said CFO Marco Giordani, quoted by Reuters.
While the media establishment is firmly against a sell-off of the 40 year-old broadcaster, Boris Johnson’s populist government is determined to push ahead. It is not seen as an issue that concerns the British public.
Meanwhile, an ever-growing list of potential buyers now includes the actor Idris Elba, who The Sunday Times says is in discussions with entrepreneur Marc Boyan, the founder and CEO of marketing and communications firm The Miroma Group.
Miroma previously counted Ofcom chairman Michael Grade as an advisor.
