David Dimbleby is in talks with the BBC to present a landmark BBC1 series about the history of British television for 2013, but still has yet to sign a new contract with the corporation.
The news appears to signal that the popular, 72-year-old Question Time host will continue to appear on the BBC for the next few years, despite numerous offers from other broadcasters.
Dimbleby's new series is in the early stages of development but is focusing on the rise of popular television and its effect on Britain and its people.
According to reports, the BBC has offered Dimbleby a new five-year contract. However, the row over the plan to move production of BBC1 flagship political series Question Time to Glasgow as part of a BBC initiative to produce 50% of its content outside the capital by 2016 and other issues have dogged negotiations and he has yet to sign.
It is understood they include what key political and state events Dimbleby has been offered by the BBC to present.
Dimbleby, who had been the BBC's first choice as presenter for most major state and royal events for the more than a decade. However, Huw Edwards was chosen for the job of main anchor of the corporation's royal wedding coverage in April.
He has also fronted the BBC's general election night coverage since 1979 and other major political events such as local elections and US presidential elections.
Since his contract ran out last year, Dimbleby has signed deals on a programme-by-programme basis.
In recent years he has fronted a number of key factual series about the history of the nation for the BBC including How We Built Britain and Seven Ages of Britain.
A BBC spokeswoman said: "This is one of a number of ideas in development with David Dimbleby at the moment but it's too early to go in to further details at this stage."
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