FANS of the Great British Bake Off need not worry about the show sinking like an underbaked Genoise sponge because Channel 4 has bagged it for another three years.
Channel 4 bosses and UK-based production company Love Productions have today signed a fresh agreement to extend the licence of the Bake Off until 2024.
Love Productions Chief Executive Richard McKerrow said: “We are delighted to have extended Bake Off’s stay on Channel 4 for another three years.
“Love Productions’ long-term commitment with Channel 4 illustrates a deep, warm, mutual respect and partnership which enables us to bring Bake Off to the widest audience possible”.
Channel 4’s Chief Content Officer Ian Katz commented: “We are thrilled that Channel 4 will continue to serve up Bake Off’s unique combination of warmth, humour and soggy bottoms for years to come.
“Bake Off is all about optimism, celebrating eccentricity and bringing the nation together – precisely what a publicly owned Channel 4 is here to do”.
The multi award-winning baking contest sees a group of amateur bakers compete against each other in three rounds to impress judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith.
The programme moved from the BBC to Channel 4 in 2017, leaving baking legend Mary Berry and presenters Sue Perkins and Mel Giedroyc behind.
Now hosted by funnymen Noel Fielding and Matt Lucas – who replaced Sandi Toksvig last year – GBBO is one of the broadcaster’s top shows.
Last year’s final was devoured by a whopping 11.5 million viewers, representing close to half of the total viewing audience.
Series 12 is averaging a healthy 8.7 million viewers per episode, putting it in second place behind Strictly Come Dancing as the most watched unscripted show of the year and the biggest first-run unscripted series on All 4 this year.
The Bake Off is especially popular with youngsters, with the debut episode of the current series attracting the biggest 16-34 share for a launch episode on Channel 4.
The new agreement also includes Bake Off: An Extra Slice, Junior Bake Off, Bake Off: The Professionals, The Great Celebrity Bake Off for Stand Up To Cancer and The Great Pottery Throw Down.
