Channel 4 Privatization Canceled, U.K. Government Confirms
U.K. broadcaster Channel 4 According to the U.K. government, privatization will not take place.
Channel 4 will continue to be publicly owned but with greater commercial flexibility and increased investment in the U.K.’s skills and jobs, as well as new production arrangements that support its long-term sustainability.
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A day later, you will receive confirmation a leaked letter from Donelan to U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak It was suggested that privatization would not proceed.
After discussions with Channel 4’s independent production sector and the government, they have agreed to a series of alternative measures to a sale. This includes reforms via the Media Bill which will eventually allow Channel 4 to make and own some of its content and a new statutory duty on its board members to protect the broadcaster’s long-term financial sustainability. This package also includes a commitment by Channel 4 to expand its role outside of London and provide more opportunities to people from the U.K to gain sector experience.
Donelan said: “Channel 4 is a British success story and a linchpin of our booming creative industries. After reviewing the business case and engaging with the relevant sectors I have decided that Channel 4 should not be sold.”
“This announcement will bring huge opportunities across the U.K. with Channel 4’s commitment to double their skills investment to £10 million [$12 million] doubling the number of jobs in areas outside London. The package will also ensure the future of our world-leading independent production industry. We will work closely with them to add new protections such as increasing the amount of content C4C must commission from independent producers.”
Alex Mahon, chief executive of Channel 4, added: “The principle of public ownership for Channel 4 is now set for the foreseeable future, a decision which allows us to be even more of a power in the digital world.
“Channel 4 is innovative, editorially brilliant and loved by audiences that others don’t reach, most of all the young and underrepresented. We did this in analogue. In the digital age, we’re doing it again. We continue to create ideas that inspire audiences and shift perspectives worldwide by working with some of the most respected film and TV producers in the U.K.
“Five years ago, we committed to representing the whole of the U.K. on screen and to growing our impact across the nations and regions. Recently, we have taken on the responsibility of eliminating obstacles for young people who believed a career in this field was not for them.
“I am personally delighted that we will be able to do more, making positive change for the people that others don’t fight for. We will move faster, invest more, take more risks, break down barriers and push boundaries; getting up to do that every day is an utter privilege for those of us lucky enough to work at Channel 4.”
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