On a conference call for its 2008 financial results, Zeiler was asked about the company's plan for Five in the event that Channel 4 seals a tie-up with BBC Worldwide to secure its future, instead of combining with Five.
In his Digital Britain report earlier this year, Communications Minister Lord Carter proposed that to secure its future, Channel 4 should be at the core of a new enlarged provider of public service broadcasting. The report suggested a merger or some other form of tie-up between Channel 4 and BBC Worldwide could underpin this new public service broadcaster.
In recent weeks, however, Five has launched a bid to gain support for its plan to merge with Channel 4 - as a potential basis for this enlarged PSB entity - although Channel 4 is opposed to such a move.
Speaking today, Zeiler said a tie-up between Channel 4 and Five "is an option". However, he insisted that "other consolidation" is also possible. "We do not rule anything in or out". He declined to comment when asked whether RTL Group wants to buy ITV as a means of securing Five's future and that of the wider UK public service broadcasting sector. However, Zeiler insisted that "we [RTL Group] would not consider" selling Five.
Zeiler added that "there is an intelligent debate about consolidation [in the UK TV market] to be had", adding that "one option is to possibly see Channel 4 and Five combine. It has an industrial logic". He added the Government would be the majority shareholder in any merged Channel 4/Five.
Earlier, RTL Group revealed that Five's TV ad revenues fell by 2.2% last year. RTL Group said that Five's share of the UK TV ad market actually increased from 2007, up to 9.6% from 9.3%. RTL Group did not, however, reveal Five's actual TV ad revenues.
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