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Channel 4 attack BBC Bake Off Challenger

07 Cake

After a heavily publicised battle last year over the future broadcasting rights of the Great British Bake Off, the BBC (who lost the Bake Off broadcasting rights to Channel 4) has recently confirmed its plans for a new TV cookery show called Britain’s Best Cook. The show will involve amateur cooks vying for supremacy and Mary Berry has been confirmed as a judge after the TV chef decided not to continue her involvement with the Bake Off.

The show’s recent press release has not given away too many specific details although it will involve amateur cooks trying to impress Mary and one other judge (as yet unnamed) in a series of weekly challenges. The new show will be hosted by Claudia Winkleman, and it is believed that the baking of cakes and puddings will also feature which has angered Channel 4 representatives.

A spokesperson for channel 4 speaking to the Sun newspaper said, “The similarities between the formats haven’t gone unnoticed. The idea of Mary Berry judging amateur cooks each week, with some challenges even including puddings, sounds extremely familiar. People are calling it the Great British Rip Off.” In response, a BBC’s spokesperson said, “These are completely different shows as those watching will see.”

Channel 4 is keeping a close eye on the development of Britain’s Best Cook, and will likely use any means available to protect their £75m investment in Bake Off. Whether or not there is any legal grounds for infringement of Copyright or any other IP rights, and whether channel 4 will take any action, remains to be seen. Their spokesperson went on to confirm “Obviously there’s a lot of money riding on all of this, so it isn’t going to be overlooked!”

The launch date of Britain’s Best Cook is yet to be confirmed but it is currently believed that it will not be until next year. The new series of the Bake Off will launch on Channel 4 this month with continuing judge Paul Hollywood alongside new judge Prue Leith and new hosts Sandi Toksvig and Noel Fielding.

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Richard Jones, Business Relationship Manager for ip21 Ltd.