Channel 4 takes stake in YouTube channel owner Barcroft

Broadcaster invests in production business that has made programming including Bear Grylls: Man vs Everest

Channel 4 has taken a stake in the parent company of Barcroft Media, which runs a popular YouTube channel network with more than 2 million subscribers to channels including Bear Grylls Adventure and ones dedicated to topics such as cars and animals.

The broadcaster has taken a minority stake in Barcroft Holdings, the parent company that has offshoots including a linear and digital TV production arm, a YouTube channel network that includes news service Barcroft TV, and branded content arm Barcroft Plus.