'The Great British Bake Off' will be back this year
The BBC still had a one-year "hold back" on "Bake Off," which meant that Channel 4 (or any other broadcaster for that matter) was banned from airing it in 2017.
But the BBC, as predicted by Business Insider last month, has backed away from its contractual rights, leaving Channel 4 free to air the programme this year.
A BBC insider told BBC News: "We don't want to get in the way of them reinventing the programme." Channel 4 also confirmed the decision, with chief creative officer Jay Hunt telling the Realscreen conference in Washington: "I can confirm that 'Bake Off' will be back on Channel 4 this year."
A BBC spokeswoman added: "The BBC will not use its hold back clause against Channel 4 and Love Productions in relation to Bake Off and its associated shows. We wish the programme well for the future and look forward to seeing who is cast on the show."
"Bake Off" producer Love Productions began casting for the new series last month. Judge Paul Hollywood will be part of the revamped show on Channel 4, but Mel Giedroyc, Sue Perkins, and Mary Berry opted to stay with the BBC.
Why the BBC backed away from its 'Bake Off' rights
As Business Insider reported last month, the BBC could have chosen to enforce its contractual rights, but this would have left it in a tricky position.
It risked souring a usually amicable relationship with Channel 4. Any attempt to delay transmission might also have angered "Bake Off" fans who do not want to go a year without one of their favourite shows.
Instead, the BBC's decision should generate good publicity and it will also benefit the broadcaster commercially. The BBC's commercial arm, BBC Worldwide, still sells the British version of "Bake Off" to broadcasters around the world. If the programme is not on this year, it will have nothing to offer its international partners.