![Digital TV Europe logo Digital TV Europe logo](https://www.digitaltveurope.com/wp-content/themes/dtve_child/assets/images/logo/dtve-logo-main_500w.png)
After more than 40 years of operation, DTVE is closing its doors and our website will no longer be updated daily. Thank you for all of your support.
Former Channel 4 boss Grade emerges as potential takeover candidate
![](https://www.digitaltveurope.com/files/2021/10/Official_portrait_of_Lord_Grade_of_Yarmouth_crop_2-1.jpg)
Lord Michael Grade
Former Channel 4 CEO Lord Michael Grade is reportedly planning a takeover bid of the broadcaster.
ITV is also being touted as a potential bidder for Channel 4 as the government continues its formal review into potentially privatising the Great British Bake-Off broadcaster.
According to The Times, Grade, who currently serves as chairman of the Marc Boyan-owned Miroma and who ran Channel 4 between 1988-1997, has emerged as a takeover candidate.
Grade last month told a House of Lords committee: “The time to change the nature of Channel 4 is now, before it falls over, before it succumbs to the inevitable decline.” The former exec is also advising ministers on the future of public service broadcasting as part of a panel.
ITV meanwhile is expected to be a front runner if the government does decide on a sale. The Times notes that bankers from Credit Suisse and Robey Warshaw are understood to be advising ITV on its potential options.
Other potential bidders for Channel 4 include at least one US private equity firm, along with Comcast-owned Sky and Channel 4, which is owned by ViacomCBS.
Any potential buyer should expect to pay close to £500 million to takeover Channel 4.