The BBC has announced that production of Mastermind, Later with Jools Holland and Hootenanny is to be opened up to private companies.
As part of its latest Charter renewal the broadcaster must allow outside production firms to bid against its in-house BBC Studios business to produce established hits.
Question of Sport, Holby City, Doctors and Songs of Praise have previously been put out to tender, with the first three retained by BBC Studios and the latter awarded to independent producers Avanti and Nine Lives.
Under the tender process the BBC retains all Intellectual Property rights for the programmes, which will continue to be shown on the BBC.
Richard Dawkins, Chief Operating Officer, BBC Content says: “These are highly successful shows which are firm audience favourites. We look forward to seeing who will make them for us in the future, as part of our commitment to competition.”
Bob Shennan, Director, BBC Radio and Music, added: “These two flagship titles are critical parts of the TV music calendar.
“Later with Jools Holland is central to our topical live strategy, and Hootenanny is a firm audience destination for New Year’s Eve. It makes sense for these two titles to be competed in a single tender as there are significant cross-overs between the two”.