John Smith, chief operating officer of the BBC, told a meeting of senior staff that after exploratory talks with media groups it looked less likely that an outright sale of BBC Worldwide would take place.
According to reports, Smith suggested that the BBC would retain assets that are deemed to have a strategic attachment, as well as generating millions that are invested back into the BBC. These assets could include BBC America and the overseas channel sales division.
The Financial Times says that other media groups, including Emap and Time Warner, have expressed an interest in creating alliances with the BBC rather than buying up its assets.
BBC Worldwide owns 10 channels including UKTV stations, BBC America, and 26 magazines. Last year, it had revenues of £657m and generated £141m profit, which was ploughed back into the corporation.
It is this that has always made a sale seem unlikely to many who ask why would the corporation sell off such a valuable business.
Smith's comments come a month after BBC's director-general Mark Thompson denied that a sale of the entire company was the only option being considered. "I never either suggested or hinted a wholesale sale is a likely outcome... my test is what will deliver most value in the long term," he said in an interview.
Smith has been with the BBC since 1989. He took up the role of chief operating officer and chair of BBC's commercial board in June this year. A month later, when BBC Worldwide chief executive Rupert Gavin stepped down, it was announced that Smith would oversee Worldwide's affairs for the immediate future.
He made the comments at a "Leading the Way" managing meeting yesterday. The BBC is due to complete its commercial review in November.
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