Wellington, June 25 NZPA - Sky TV's popular UKTV channel has been bought by BBC Worldwide .

Building on its existing 20 percent stake, BBC Worldwide acquired FOXTEL's 60 percent share and FremantleMedia's 20 percent stake in the channel. BBC Worldwide's managing director Darren Childs said the move was an obvious step, given its BBC content.

Sky chief executive John Fellet said the injection of further programming from BBC Worldwide's extensive catalogue would be welcomed by viewers.

BBC Worldwide, the main commercial arm of the British Broadcasting Corporation, already has a head office in Sydney and an operation in Melbourne through the acquisition of Lonely Planet.

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