Fans of The Great British Bake Off will be delighted to hear Channel 4 and Love Productions have agreed to film the show for an additional three years.
The baking series has been part of the Channel 4 family since it bought the rights from the BBC in 2017, who previously aired the show for the first seven series.
Now into its twelfth series, the tent-based competition has become one of Channel 4's biggest shows, currently drawing in more than eight million viewers per episode.
Fronted by judges Paul Hollywood and Dame Prue Leith, with Matt Lucas and Noel Fielding as the presenters, the programme is the second most watched unscripted show after Strictly Come Dancing.
The agreement also includes the spin-off programmes 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.
Last year’s final watched by 11.5 million people, more than a 40 per cent share of the viewing audience, according to the broadcaster.
It has also had the biggest first run for an unscripted series on the broadcaster’s on demand service All 4 this year.
This news comes amid discussions surrounding the potential privatisation of Channel 4, which is publicly owned and receives its funding from advertising.
Ian Katz, chief content officer at Channel 4, said: “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.”
Richard McKerrow, chief executive of Love Productions, 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.”
