The Great British Bake Off could move from Channel 4 to ITV after Sky owner Comcast bought the business for a deal worth around £1.6 billion.

Following the deal, broadcast rights for the beloved cooking show are now up in the air, according to reports.

Great British Bake Off could move from Channel 4 to ITV

It’s official: Sky has sealed its £1.6B deal to acquire ITV’s television network operations.

It’s believed, under NBC Universal, that Sky wants to create a commercial streamer that will be a true rival to Netflix and Disney, but for now ITV channels and ITVX will remain free. pic.twitter.com/B5FGtebONF

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— sᴜᴘᴇʀ ᴛᴠ (@superTV247) July 6, 2026

It comes due to ITV Studios being set to receive Sky’s Love Productions, the creator of Bake Off, as part of the deal.

Channel 4 secured the deal with Love Productions in 2025.

However, it is not clear when that runs until.

The first episode of Bake Off aired in 2010, with its first four series broadcast on BBC Two.

Its growing popularity saw it move to BBC One for the following three series.

After its seventh series, Love Productions signed a three-year deal with Channel 4 to produce the series for the broadcaster.

It has been on Channel 4 since 2017, and a 17th series will air on the channel later this year, but its future beyond that is unknown.

“The whole industry is talking about Bake Off moving yet again, which would be a tremendous coup for ITV but bad news for C4 as it is their most-watched show”, an insider told The Sun.

Despite this, Channel 4 said that Bake Off is staying on the channel.

A joint statement from Channel 4 and Love Productions said: “Channel 4’s GBBO deal is with Love and as such is unaffected by the Sky ITV deal.

“The show’s existing multi-year agreement with Love remains in place meaning Bake Off fans will be able to continue to enjoy the show on Channel 4 as usual.”

Sky and ITV deal explained

It was announced on Monday (June 7) that ITV had agreed the sale of its media and entertainment arm to Sky for up to £1.6 billion after months of talks over a possible deal.

The companies said the deal will combine the division with Sky to create a major competitor to the global streaming giants.

Sky is taking over ITV’s media and entertainment arm, which covers its terrestrial TV channels ITV1, ITV2, ITV4, ITV Quiz and streaming service ITVX.

Sky will also become an indirect 20% shareholder in the ITN business, which makes news programmes such as Good Morning Britain and News at Ten and regional news for London.

The sale does not include ITV’s production arm, ITV Studios, which will become a standalone business following the sale.

Programmes produced by ITV Studios, like Love Island, I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!, Coronation Street and Emmerdale will be covered in the supply agreement, meaning they will remain on ITV.

Sky will also maintain its current pay-to-view model with an array of shows, including sport and entertainment.

Nevertheless, Sky has committed to spending at least £2.1 billion over 2028-2032 on content from ITV Studios as part of a long-term agreement to air its shows.

The sale also does not include Scottish media group STV, which is a separate company.

ITV’s channels and ITVX will remain as they are and free-to-air, including sport content and in places like Freeview, Freely, and Sky’s platforms.

ITV News and Sky News will also remain distinct editorial voices.

London-based Sky is owned by US media giant Comcast, which also owns NBC and Universal Pictures.

Comcast recently announced plans to split into two companies – one independent Comcast business focusing on telecoms, and a spin-off media operation named NBCUniversal.

Dana Strong, Sky’s group chief executive, said: “Bringing Sky and ITV Media & Entertainment together combines the very best of free-to-air television, pay TV and streaming, ensuring viewers across the UK continue to enjoy outstanding British programming in a rapidly changing world.

“ITV will remain a public service broadcaster at the heart of British life, and we’re excited about the future we can build together.”

She said the takeover was a “defining moment for British media”.

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Andrew Cosslett, the chairman of ITV, said that “at a time of rapid change in the industry, it is right that we now secure ITV’s crucial role as a public service broadcaster” and that the combined business will “create a UK champion with the scale and resources to better compete with global streaming platforms”.

British broadcasters, including ITV, BBC and Channel 4, have developed their streaming platforms in a bid to compete with US giants like Netflix, Amazon and Disney.

Are you a fan of the Great British Bake Off? Let us know in the comments.

An under-construction high-rise building near New York City’s Grand Central Terminal was evacuated over fears that it would collapse after bricks were reported falling off the 38-story building.

Emergency responders were called to 235 East 42nd Street just before 8 a.m. Tuesday after workers noticed structural support beams beginning to buckle on the 21st and 22nd floors. Officials also found the floors between the 21st and 26th floors were sagging, the New York City Fire Department told The Independent.

The Midtown East building was once home to offices for the pharmaceutical company Pfizer, but is being converted into a residential building with over 1,600 apartments. The project was slated to be completed in 2027.

The FDNY said on social media that it was involved in a “major technical rescue response” at the location.

Approximately 40 units and 130 fire and EMS personnel responded to the scene. There were no reported injuries, the FDNY added.

Several nearby buildings, including a hotel and a school, have been evacuated as a precaution, the FDNY said.

The buildings evacuated include 225 East 43rd Street, 221 East 43rd Street, 815 2nd Avenue, 212 East 43rd Street, 211 East 43rd Street, 235 East 42nd Street and 210 East 43rd Street.

Pedestrian and vehicular traffic is also closed on East 42nd Street between Second and Third avenues.

Officials are using FDNY drones to examine the building, but their investigation is ongoing.

The New York City Department of Buildings was also at the scene investigating reports of structural issues.

“First responders have advised commuters to avoid the area and use alternate routes,” the agency said.

This is a breaking news story, check back for updates…

LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) — The IOC advised Olympic sports bodies on Tuesday to end a three-year program vetting Russians for neutral status ahead of qualifying events for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

The move was expected since the International Olympic Committee advised two months ago that athletes from Belarus, Russia’s military ally in the full military invasion of Ukraine, should be allowed again to compete with their full national identity.

“The IOC stands in solidarity with the Olympic community of Ukraine, which the Olympic movement has supported since the beginning of the war, and will continue to do so,” the Olympic body said in a statement after a meeting of its executive board.

The IOC eased entry requirements to its own events for Russian athletes and teams while provisionally lifting its suspension since October 2023 of the Russian Olympic Committee.

The terms of that suspension — imposed when the Russian Olympic body incorporated regional sports councils from occupied regions of Ukraine — no longer applied, the IOC said.

Just 32 athletes from Russia and Belarus competed at the 2024 Paris Olympics as approved neutrals, and combined to win five medals. The Russian team had more than 300 athletes at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics and won 71 medals.

The IOC did not yet approve letting Russian athletes and teams compete with their flag and anthem. That decision will come “at an appropriate time,” it said.

The next Olympic competition is the 2026 Youth Summer Games in Dakar, Senegal opening Oct. 31.

The IOC said to “address the lack of confidence in the global sporting community relating to the return of Russian athletes to international competition,” those athletes must give multiple doping controls and be part of a recognized testing program.

The IOC said it will continue to “not organize IOC events in Russia or invite Russian government or state officials to its events.”

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AP Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/2024-paris-olympic-games

Retailers have removed Nature Craft by Galt Toys from the shelves after sand in the activity game was revealed to be contaminated with a “small quantity” of asbestos.

Another item, Kluster – Magnetic Game by Borderline Editions, has also been recalled following concerns that small magnets contained posed as a risk if swallowed.  

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Nature Craft by Galt Toys has been removed from shelves after sand in the game was found to be contaminated with a “small quantity” of asbestos (Image: Supplied)

Speaking about Nature Craft, a sign posted on Waterstones’ window in Coney Street said: “This product was sold through John Lewis, Hobby Craft, Toy Master and Garden Centres and websites between 2024 and April 2026.

“We are advising customers to stop using this product immediately and keep it out of reach of children.”

Customers are advised to place the sand in a heavy-duty plastic bag and double-tape it securely if it is still in the packaging.

If it has been used, clean up the area with wet cloths to avoid generating dust, wearing gloves and a mask, and then place all items in a heavy-duty bag that is double taped.

The sand can be placed in general household waste.

Kluster – Magnetic Game by Borderline Editions has been recalled after loose magnets posed as a swallowing risk (Image: Newsquest)

Parents have also been advised to stop their children using the Kluster – Magnetic Game immediately.

A full refund is available on return to the shop.

LONDON (AP) — Coco Gauff overcame a shaky start and beat Jessica Pegula 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 on Tuesday to reach the Wimbledon semifinals for the first time.

The two-time major champion raised her arms in the air after Pegula sent a weak backhand into the net on the first match point in an all-American quarterfinal on Centre Court.

With the victory, the 22-year-old Gauff became the youngest player to reach the semifinals at all four Grand Slams since Maria Sharapova, who accomplished the feat at the 2007 French Open.

In Gauff’s six previous appearances at the All England Club, she had never gotten past the fourth round.

Gauff will face either Naomi Osaka or Karolina Muchova for a spot in Saturday’s final.

On No. 1 Court, defending champion Jannik Sinner was facing Jan-Lennard Struff.

Heating up at Wimbledon

Under a sunny sky, the early afternoon matches started with the temperature at 29 Celsius degrees (84 Fahrenheit) and expected to rise to 31 C (88 F).

Sinner, who lost in the second round at the French Open amid a heat wave in Paris, used an ice towel around his neck on changeovers.

Early in her match, Gauff asked the chair umpire: “Do you guys have an ice pack?” The American dabbed what appeared to be a blue ice pack to her cheeks and top of her thighs.

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AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis

It means the near 300-hectare Greencroft Forest Park can now proceed as planned, with planting due to restart this coming winter.

The North East plantation was initially approved by the government agency in early 2025, only to be subject to a Judicial Review in September last year over whether or not it had applied its environmental planning rules appropriately and effectively.

Despite a judge ruling in favour of the FC then, Lanchester Properties – part of the County Durham-based Lanchester Group – demanded an oral hearing to restate its case, which was heard in early June 2026.

Now, a High Court judge has ruled in favour of the Forestry Commission and True North, the asset manager behind the plantation.

Harry Humble, of True North Asset Partners, said: “We are relieved that this positive outcome has been reached and acknowledge the judge’s careful and considered determination.

“It is regrettable that this Judicial Review has taken up so much time and money, tied up valuable court resources and delayed much-needed tree planting in England.

“Now that the case has been resolved, we hope to move forward with the planting and delivering the significant economic, ecological and environmental benefits the forest will bring.

“The case has now been rejected by two High Court judges and has occupied three full days of High Court time, with legal costs exceeding £500,000.

“We sincerely hope this legal process has now come to an end and that Lanchester Properties will accept the High Court’s decision. In time, we hope they will also recognise the value of the forestry scheme and support the lasting benefits it will deliver for the local community.”

In his judgement – published on July 3 – Judge Jonathan Klein found that the Forestry Commission had sufficient information before making its decision. According to the official ruling, the lawyer acting on behalf of Lanchester accepted this, too, even as he continued to challenge its lawfulness.

The Judge wrote: “I have also considered whether the decision was unreasonable and have concluded that it was not.”

The judge further went on to argue that “it does not follow … that afforestation of this extent and nature is almost inevitably likely to have a significant environmental impact”.

Greencroft Forest Park is set to be made up of a total of 31 species and 600,000 individual trees.

A High Court judge ruled in favour of the Forestry Commission. (Image: Stock image)

A Forestry Commission spokesperson said: “We welcome the Court’s judgement, which confirms that the environmental impacts of the proposed Greencroft Forest Park woodland creation scheme were appropriately considered.”

 Lanchester Properties confirmed it was looking to appeal the decision.

Director Caroline Cleary-MacArthur said planting commercial Sitka spruce on this scale and next to villages was “fundamentally wrong”.

Pointing to comments made by Forestry Commission chair Baroness Young last year, Caroline added that “monoculture Sitka Spruce plantations do little to enhance biodiversity, landscape quality or public enjoyment of the countryside”.

She said: “This has never been about opposing trees. It is about ensuring that the right trees are planted in the right places, with genuine local engagement and a fair balance between commercial interests, environmental outcomes and the communities that live with the consequences.”

Airdrie Islamic Centre hosted the festivities, which were organised by Friends of Airdrie and Coatbridge Islamic Centre (FACIC) and North Lanarkshire Muslim Women and Family Alliance (NLMWFA).

Around 400 people from across North Lanarkshire lapped up the sensational sights and sounds of the vibrant latest Community Connections Day.

Airdrie Islamic Centre hosted the festivities, which were organised by Friends of Airdrie and Coatbridge Islamic Centre (FACIC) and North Lanarkshire Muslim Women and Family Alliance (NLMWFA).

The aim of the gathering was to celebrate “togetherness, diversity, and neighbourly spirit”.

People from all walks of life and different ethnic backgrounds came together in an atmosphere filled with warmth, friendship and genuine community connection.

Dr Irfan Jehangir, FACIC chairperson, said: “Men, women and children attended throughout the day, creating a welcoming and lively environment that reflected the values of openness and inclusion.

“Visitors enjoyed a wide range of attractions and stalls including delicious food, clothing and jewellery displays, which received excellent feedback from attendees.

“The positive response highlighted not only the quality of the event but also the spirit in which it was delivered.

“For younger visitors, there was plenty to enjoy. Children especially loved the face painting, the opportunity to explore the police van, and meeting the ever-popular Bumblebee mascot, which brought smiles and excitement throughout the day.

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“Unfortunately, the planned mini zoo was cancelled at short notice by the providers.

“We sincerely apologise to those who were looking forward to this attraction and appreciate everyone’s understanding.

“Despite this unexpected change, the day proved to be a tremendous success and generated overwhelmingly positive feedback from attendees, many of whom praised the welcoming atmosphere and the opportunity to meet and connect with people they may not otherwise have encountered.”

Dr Jehangir added: “Events like this play an important role in strengthening community relations, building understanding and bringing people together.

“Airdrie Islamic Centre remains committed to creating opportunities that foster friendship, respect and shared experiences among all members of society.

“We would like to thank all volunteers, organisers, participants and visitors from the North Lanarkshire community who helped make the day such a success.

“Together, we continue building stronger communities and helping make Scotland a better place for everyone.”

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Issue: In order to push out cold air, a portable air conditioner inhales warm, humid air and blasts it with refrigerant chemicals before running it over cool metal coils. The remaining heat is vented outside through its hose.

This creates a vacuum, with the hot air removed from your room needing to be replaced. In my experience, what almost always happens is that more warm air from outside seeps back into the room through cracks in the floorboards or gaps above the door, counteracting the work of the air conditioning unit.

As the exhaust pipe expels air outside, some residual heat may radiate back into the room, too.

Solution: Position the air conditioner as close to a window as possible, keeping the hose short.

Check your window adaptor too. If it achieves anything less than an airtight seal, hot air will start to creep back in. Most portable air conditioners come with a window kit included, but if it doesn’t seem reliable enough, then I would recommend purchasing a better one online.

Dual-hose air conditioners are the best solution, as these cool air drawn from the outside, eliminating the aforementioned negative pressure problem. Unfortunately, EU and UK energy regulations mean that these aren’t readily available.

Don’t worry about the noise

NEW YORK (AP) — “Being Heumann,” director Siân Heder’s film about the late disability rights activist Judith Heumann, will open the 51st Toronto International Film Festival.

Festival organizers announced Tuesday that “Being Heumann,” starring Ruth Madeley as Heumann, will make its world premiere on the opening night of the Canadian festival Sept. 10. The festival runs through Sept. 20.

Heumann, who died in 2023, has been called the “mother of the disability rights movement” for her longtime advocacy and for lobbying for what eventually led to the federal Americans with Disabilities Act. Heumann, who lost the ability to walk at age 2, was also a central figure in the Oscar-nominated 2020 film “Crip Camp.”

“Being Heumann” is Heder’s follow-up to the 2021 film “CODA,” which won best picture at the Academy Awards. The win marked a milestone for the deaf community and signaled the first time a streamer, Apple, won Hollywood’s top award. Apple is also releasing “Being Heumann.”

“We’re thrilled to open this year’s Festival with Siân Heder’s inspiring follow-up to her Oscar winning ‘CODA,’” Cameron Bailey, chief executive of TIFF, said in a statement. “‘Being Heumann’ features an electric performance from Ruth Madeley in the story of Judy Heumann, a world-changing advocate for accessibility.”

The festival, one of the premiere launching pads of fall movies, also announced gala world premieres of Susanna White’s legal thriller “Prima Facie,” starring Cynthia Erivo, and of Hur Jin-ho’s Korean thriller “The Assassin(s).”

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The story has been updated to correct that the film “Crip Camp” was from 2020, not 2000.