BBC plays down Family Guy ITV link

The BBC has moved to end speculation Fox adult toon Family Guy is moving to another UK terrestrial.

Twentieth Century Fox Television distribution execs recently met with ITV over the series at the latter’s London office, but the BBC’s press office tweeted: “There’s been lots of speculation today but, to confirm, Family Guy will be on the @BBC until at least 2017.”

There’s been lots of speculation today but, to confirm, Family Guy will be on the @BBC until at least 2017.

— BBC Press Office (@bbcpress) February 25, 2015

Family Guy has been on BBC Three since 1999, but with that channel set to go online-only later this year speculation has been mounting over the future UK home of the show.

BBC Three’s budget has been slashed, meaning high-profile acquisitions will be difficult for it to make going forwards.

ITV has been repositioning ITV2 as a key UK comedy destination, and Family Guy would be a centerpiece of that strategy. TBI understands ITV has not acquired the show, though an ITV-Fox meeting did occur.

A tweet from an ITV staffer (pictured) showed Family Guy’s Griffin family standing behind an ITV logo and a caption reading “Together as one freaking family”.

Came in to work to see this on the lift, please say itv now have family guy