BBC and Channel 4 discuss streaming partnership
July 8, 2026 16.24 Europe/London By Julian Clover


The BBC and Channel 4 are exploring a partnership that could see Channel 4’s content integrated into BBC iPlayer, as public service broadcasters seek greater scale to compete with global streaming platforms.

Speaking to the House of Commons Culture, Media and Sport Committee in his first appearance as BBC Director-General, Matt Brittin confirmed discussions had taken place between the two broadcasters.

“We have had an approach and have had a discussion with Channel 4,” Brittin told MPs. “In the world of the ITV-Sky merger, Channel 4 looks very sub-scale. All of these mergers are driven by the need to have scale. One opportunity for them would be in partnership with the BBC, having content on iPlayer, but continuing to be ad-funded.”

Brittin said there were “an array of commercial, audience, public service and technical issues” to resolve, but added the proposal would be explored “as quickly as we’re able.”

The comments come just days after Sky announced its proposed acquisition of ITV’s Media & Entertainment business, a deal that would create a major UK commercial streaming group while leaving ITV Studios as a separate company. Brittin suggested that consolidation elsewhere in the market increases the need for public service broadcasters to work more closely together.

He warned: “This is a moment of real jeopardy, because of the scale and because of the influence of a handful of US and Chinese tech players which will dominate the creation and distribution of content.”

Brittin also renewed calls for reform of the television licence fee, arguing that households watching BBC content exclusively via streaming services should also contribute.

“There is a compelling argument,” he said, describing the current funding model as “yesterday’s model, it’s a busted flush, it’s no longer fit for purpose.”

A partnership between iPlayer and Channel 4’s streaming service would represent one of the most significant collaborations yet between UK public service broadcasters, reflecting growing pressure to build greater scale as audiences increasingly migrate to global streaming services such as Netflix, YouTube and Disney+. It would also complement existing industry collaborations such as Freely, the streaming platform backed by the UK’s public service broadcasters.