Under the broadcaster’s Charter it must allow external firms to bid against its in-house production arm, BBC Studios, for the contract to make some of its most popular shows.
Unlike bought-in series such as The Great British Bake Off, the BBC retains all Intellectual Property rights for the programmes contracted out and the shows are guaranteed to continue being broadcast on its channels.
The contract for A Question of Sport and Holby City were retained by BBC Studios, while Songs of Praise was awarded to two independent producers Avanti and Nine Lives.
BBC Studios has also been awarded the contract to make daytime drama series Doctors and shares the contract with independent producers Windfall Films and Wingspan Productions to make bundles of films for the BBC’s flagship science strand, Horizon.
Richard Dawkins, Chief Operating Officer, BBC Content said: “Bargain Hunt is a mainstay of the BBC One daytime schedule and with its continued popularity we are pleased to be committing to the series for the next few years.
“In putting this title out to tender, we are continuing to make good progress towards our commitment to open up the production of more of the BBC’s existing programming to competition.”