The BBC, which owns 50% of 10 UKTV channels with Flextech, will now talk to the remaining bidders, believed to include BSkyB, RTL, which owns terrestrial broadcaster Five, and three US firms, Time Warner, Viacom and Discovery, about a possible deal while the two cable giants tie up their merger.
It is possible that the BBC could buy the remaining 50% stake in its UKTV channels, under a change of ownership clause that gives it first refusal on the business.
BBC Worldwide chief executive John Smith said meetings would be held in the next two weeks.
He also quashed rumours that Sky is not a preferred bidder because of its competition with free-to-air digital satellite service Freeview.
He said BBC Worldwide would be very happy with Sky running its channels.
BSkyB was the frontrunner in the race for Flextech two weeks ago, but Telewest appeared to backtrack on the proposed sale, apparently because of the satellite broadcaster's positioning as a fierce rival to cable in the pay-TV market.
Flextech comprises Living TV, Bravo, Challenge and Trouble, which feature programmes such as 'Alias', 'Will & Grace' and the new hit 'Grey's Anatomy', and UKTV channels. It is expected to fetch over £1bn if finally sold.
Meanwhile, NTL and Telewest yesterday finally announced their long-awaited merger, creating a TV platform with the force to take on Sky and Freeview.
NTL, the biggest of the cable giants with 3.1m subscribers, compared with Telewest's 1.8m subscribers, paid $6.5bn (£3.4m) for rival Telewest.
The newly merged company will be worth an estimated £6bn and will reach 7.8m homes in the UK.
If you have an opinion on this or any other issue raised on Brand Republic, join the debate in the .
.jpg)
.jpg)