Britain’s BBC said on Tuesday it had picked four bidders to compete for its commercial subsidiary, BBC Broadcast, which it is offloading as it trims costs and sheds non-core businesses.The corporation said Apax Partners, Thomson/Technicolor, Macquarie Group and Exponent Private Equity were selected to enter the final bidding stage. Last month 18 bidders were in the running for the unit, which distributes and promotes video and other content.‘‘These shortlisted companies have not only demonstrated an appreciation of the value of BBC Broadcast, but also impressed us with their future growth plans and how they will work in partnership with the BBC in the coming years,’’ said the BBC’s chief operating officer John Smith.The BBC said it remained on track to sell the unit by the end of summer, subject to approval by the BBC Board of Governors and the government. On Monday, the BBC suffered its most serious strike in over a decade as staff walked out in protest against plans to cut 20 per cent of its workforce. —Reuters
