Britain's BBC and commercial TV company, Granada Group, have joined forces in their quest to attack the world's biggest TV market, the US. BBC Worldwide, the public broadcaster's commercial arm, and Granada Media said yesterday they planned to set up GB Productions, a joint venture aimed at developing US versions of British situation comedies and dramas.

The move reflects the growing trend among TV companies to try to translate their home-grown hits for overseas audiences, earning them additional revenues from successful formats.