The independently-operated UK public broadcasterChannel 4will forego privatization, as confirmed by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Thursday, according to a report fromDeadline. The fight to keep the network from being sold has ensued after a planned $1.2 billion sale was initially proposed under Boris Johnson’s administration 18 months ago. Former Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries spearheaded the privatization, making it one of her top priorities against the advice from government consultants and the campaigns from the British film and television industries. However, Michelle Donelan inherited the case as the new Culture Secretary and decided it was best not to proceed with the sale upon further review.“Channel 4 is a British success story and a linchpin of our booming creative industries,” said Donelan. “After reviewing the business case and engaging with the relevant sectors, I have decided that Channel 4 should not be sold.”The news initially broke on Wednesday after The News Agent reporter Lewis Goodall leaked the contents of a letter from Donelan to Sunak viaTwitter. According to the Culture Secretary, she believed the move towards privatization would impede Channel 4’s ability to continue supportinggrowth within the independent TV sphere.
The company has been government-owned since its establishment in 1982. It has since become a pillar within the community, becoming UK’s first public broadcaster to commission original programming from independent production companies and producers on a significant scale. Within the notice, Donelan issued a series of reforms to assist in Channel 4’s long-term sustainability and aid them in continuing to support growth within a highly successful and creative economy.
“The package will safeguard the future of our world-leading independent production sector,” Donelan stated. “We will work closely with them to add new protections such as increasing the amount of content Channel 4 must commission from independent producers.”
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Channel 4 Will be Able to Produce Content for the First Time Since Its Inception
Channel 4 is a powerhouse within the independent sector, fostering growth within UK’s production industry and taking risks on underrepresented but innovative content. Some of their most famed programs includeBig Brother(UK),The Inbetweeners, and their most successful comedy to date,Derry Girls. Now that the company is public for the foreseeable future, and a newly proposed package of reforms will soon be in place to support its sustainability and growth, the broadcaster can continue to commission outside programming.
Donelan’s goal to support Channel 4’s longevity as an independent public broadcasting company extends beyond ensuring their ability to commission outside work. It also includes additional “ambitious measures” which will allow them to produce shows and other content in-house for the first time in consultation with the UK’s independent production sector. This stipulation is a win for both sides as it will widen the creative scope for Channel 4 and create more jobs within the UK’s film industry. Channel 4’s CEO Alex Mahon believes this move will allow them “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. In the analog world, we did this spectacularly. Now, in the digital era, we are doing it again. Working with the world-leading TV and film producers of the UK, we continue to give birth to ideas that thrill audiences and change perspectives globally.”
