The Mail on Sunday reports a City source as saying that NTL's plan is to increase the value of UKTV, Flextech's joint venture with the BBC, by recruiting another partner with more content. Sources described Five's owner, German broadcaster RTL, as a "highly credible" potential ally.
"The general feeling is that there will be a lot more demand for content in future so they need to keep a handle on it. They won't be letting it go," the City source said.
First the merger of the two cable companies has to be completed, a move expected to happen in the spring, after it won regulator approval. The deal has already been through twists as Telewest first put Flextech up for sale before changing its mind.
If RTL comes on board, Five's content will be added to that of the BBC, with possible new channel options arising for UKTV.
This could include such programming as the 'CSI', which Five broadcasts in the UK, as well as homegrown shows such as its property programming and documentary strands.
The merger was cleared by the Office of Fair Trading just before Christmas, and will now have to pass a shareholder vote.
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