ITV plans to steal BBC hit show Traitors as part of attack on £1BILLION studio
The BBC could lose its hit show The Traitors to rival channel ITV, The Mail on Sunday can reveal.
The commercial broadcaster is about to strike a deal to buy the company making the Bafta-winning program – and when they do, they can decide which network will broadcast it.
Bosses would be happy to deprive the BBC of one of its biggest ratings if they can close the £1 billion deal to buy All3Media.
When it launched last year, The Traitors – which is hosted by Claudia Winkleman – instantly became one of the jewels in the BBC’s crown.
The first series, created by All3Media subsidiary Studio Lambert, averaged 5.4 million viewers and encouraged more young viewers to sign up for iPlayer than any other show.
The BBC could lose its hit show The Traitors to rival channel ITV, The Mail on Sunday can reveal
An industry insider said, “The Traitors is one of television’s biggest success stories in recent years. It’s also something ITV bosses think would fit so well on their own channel.
“Because they would own the company making it, they could do whatever they wanted with it.
“ITV knows exactly what damage it would do to the BBC, but they have a business to run and they want viewers to watch their channel.”
It is the last battle between the two broadcasters. They are currently at war over poaching each other’s stars. The BBC has made bold bids to give Holly Willoughby a prime time slot on the channel, while ITV has signed BBC names like Graham Norton, Gary Lineker and Zoe Ball to projects.
The first season of The Traitors, set in a Scottish castle, aired in November 2022. It featured 22 strangers fighting to win £120,000 by backstabbing and lying to each other. It was so popular that a second series was commissioned in February.
If ITV took over All3Media, Strictly Come Dancing presenter Ms Winkleman would be able to present an ITV program for the first time in 15 years, as she is employed by the production company rather than the BBC. ITV also wants to acquire Gogglebox, which is also made by Studio Lambert, from Channel 4. Industry insiders say if ITV closes the deal, it could mark a turning point for beleaguered boss Dame Carolyn McCall, who has been embroiled in scandal since Phillip Schofield admitted lying about an affair.