BBC invites Worldwide bids

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The future of the BBC’s commercial division could be decided over the next few weeks after the corporation invited Time Warner, Bertelsmann and Walt Disney to discuss possible bids for BBC Worldwide. The division includes BBC America and BBC Prime together with 26 magazine titles and a lucrative merchandising featuring such brands as the Teletubbies and Doctor Who. The BBC has commissioned its chief operating officer John Smith to write a report on the options ahead of a governmental study into the BBC’s activities. Any sale would also have implications for UKTV, the joint venture with Telewest, and separate agreements with Discovery Channel.