Channel Four wins Simpsons bidding war
Channel Four has won the rights to broadcast cartoon show The Simpsons after a multi-million pound bidding war.
The BBC earlier pulled out of negotiations to broadcast the show after being asked to pay a reported £700,000 (€1.14m) per episode - a seven fold increase on the previous deal.
Channel Five had hoped to secure the rights to the antics of the world's favourite dysfunctional family but were pipped to the deal.
Viewers will be able to watch The Simpsons on the BBC until the end of 2006 with three new series and repeats.
Channel 4 has acquired UK terrestrial rights to upcoming new episodes starting with series 12 and 13.
The deal was reached with US studio Twentieth Century Fox.
As part of the deal, Channel 4 has also acquired the rights to terrestrial repeats of previous series.
The UK pay-TV rights to The Simpsons are not included in Channel 4's deal. Tim Gardam, Channel 4 Director of Programmes said: "We are very excited to have secured the rights to what is broadly recognised as one of TV s most creative, original and brilliant shows. The Simpsons will help reinforce Channel 4's appeal with young and upmarket audiences."
June Dromgoole, Channel 4 s Controller of Programme Acquisition, who brokered the deal, added: "The Simpsons is a natural fit with Channel 4s long-standing tradition of showcasing the best of US television. It is one of the most enduring and successful series in television history and its popularity with British audiences is self-evident."
Dawn Airey, Channel Five chief executive, said: "We're obviously disappointed as we put in what we considered to be a very competitive bid."
