Legislation passed before the summer recess is likely to increase the attractiveness of the UK's independent television sector to private equity.

Independent television has been a fragmented industry characterised by small teams of creatives whose lifestyle businesses are of little interest to the private equity community. However, in July two back-to-back deals suggested that this was no longer the case. Kleinwort Capital acquired a 45% stake in Hat Trick Productions for £23m (€33m) and Bridgepoint Capital led the management buy-out of Chrysalis's television division for £45m.