A BBC spokesman said: “While we wouldn’t comment on speculation, as a general principle we are always open-minded to ideas that could strengthen the future of public service broadcasting and the UK creative economy.”
A Channel 4 spokesman added: “It would be for the BBC to decide how to use its platforms. Channel 4 is focused on delivering distinctive and trusted British content for UK viewers – especially to young people – wherever they are.”
Any move to expand iPlayer would undoubtedly come with complications. Smaller broadcasters would naturally fight any attempt to be subsumed into an all-powerful BBC service that Harrington warns could become a “beige blob”.
“If you’re Channel 5 or Channel 4, sure, you’re part of this bigger-scale play, but you become a tile within someone else’s player, which nobody wants,” he says. “You’re instantly marginalised.”
There are more prosaic concerns, too. Any effort to incorporate adverts into iPlayer would draw fierce scrutiny from regulator Ofcom, while combining the different technology embedded within each existing streaming service is likely to prove complex.
However, TV bosses know that closer cooperation can be beneficial, with Davie setting out plans for more commercial partnerships earlier this year.
While each channel has its own distinctive brand, industry observers note that promoting shows to different audiences could be effective. One notable example is The Great British Bake Off, which started off on the BBC but only thrived following its move to Channel 4.
Ultimately, though, traditional broadcasters may not have the luxury of choice in joining forces. As pressure grows on TV bosses to find a sustainable future in the digital age, some think their hands will be forced.
“No bureaucracy ever deconstructs itself,” says Redmond. “It needs an existential force to come and do that … It’s not their decision.”