Reed Smith and Olswang lead on C4/BBC joint venture talks
Reed Smith and Olswang have landed plum roles advising on talks between Channel 4 and BBC Worldwide. The two broadcasters are in advanced talks to set up a joint venture intended to secure the future of Channel 4.
July 20, 2009 at 09:24 AM
2 minute read
Reed Smith and Olswang have landed plum roles advising on talks between Channel 4 and BBC Worldwide.
The two broadcasters are in advanced talks to set up a joint venture intended to secure the future of Channel 4.
Reed Smith has been called in to advise longstanding client Channel 4 on the discussions, with London corporate partner Philip Taylor taking the lead role.
Olswang, meanwhile, is thought to have been drafted in to advise BBC Worldwide – also a regular client.
The joint venture talks are the latest in a string of mandates Olswang has picked up from the BBC, including advising the broadcaster on the digital switchover.
That 2006 mandate saw media, communications and technology partner Matthew Phillips advise the BBC on the procurement process for selecting a supplier for the switchover, with fellow partner Selina Potter advising on the renegotiation of existing transmission service agreements with National Grid.
Earlier this year Norton Rose secured a trophy role advising the Department of Media, Culture & Sport on the Government's review of the public service broadcasting system. The review initially focused on whether Channel 4 should be brought into the public sphere as a second public service broadcaster to provide competition to the BBC.
Discussions between Channel 4 and BBC Worldwide have been taking place for a number of months, with Channel 4 attempting to plug a funding gap of up to £150m from 2012.
Olswang declined to comment on its role.
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