Ten More Hit TV Shows Which The BBC Lost To Rival Channels

The BBC picked up the mega hit real-time show for its first two series but negotiations for the third series broke down in 2003. Sky One were ready to pounce, nabbing the rights to all future series. (Pic: Rex)

It’s been a complicated relationship between Formula One and the BBC. ITV won them off the state broadcaster in 1997 but the Beeb won them back in 2009. However, they lost the rights once again last year, this time to Channel 4 and Sky Sports, and chose to end their contract three years early in 2015 as part of a cost-saving exercise. (Pic: Rex)

BBC4 aired the first four seasons of the hit US drama about advertising but Sky bid big to secure the rights from them in 2011 and the BBC refused to bid more. (Pic: AMC)

While Knowing Me, Knowing You and I’m Alan Partridge remain BBC shows, the hapless DJ and presenter made a big money move to Sky Atlantic in 2012 with his Mid Morning Matters show and a series of specials. (Pic: BBC)

After 60 years being broadcast live on the BBC, Sky bid £15 million - £5 million more than the Beeb - to nab the vent off them. Once again, the BBC ended their contract early last year to save money. (Pic: Rex)

Channel 4 have developed a habit of poaching huge shows from the BBC, having already won the rights for The Simpsons in 2002. BBC Two had themselves nabbed the cartoon from Sky in the 1990s but it has remained on Channel 4 since they took it from the Beeb. (Pic: Rex)

Channel 4 and Sky both won the rights to Test Match cricket in 1998. The BBC had only bid £4 million less so it came as quite a bitter blow - and not just to cricket fans. (Pic: Rex)

It wasn’t the show itself that the BBC lost but the rights to show highlights of Premiership games in 2000 until 2004 when ITV secured the rights. The BBC won them back after that, however, and you’ll be whistling the Match of the Day theme tune until at least the end of the decade. (Pic: BBC)

This surprise food and impressions hit from Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon began in 2010 on BBC Two, spawning two series and a film. However, with Coogan on Sky Atlantic with Alan Partridge, The Trip also made the move to the satellite broadcaster and they will show the third series in 2016. (Pic: BBC)

It felt like the judging panel had more changes than contestants and now The Voice UK is making a move to ITV after the BBC lost the rights last year. Once a direct rival of The X Factor, it will now be aired on the same channel having never quite hit the heights expected on the Beeb. (Pic: BBC)