BAFTA Winners Slam Existential Threat to Channel 4, BBC: ‘Extremely Frightening and Very Worrying’ (EXCLUSIVE)

variety.com:

Naman Ramachandran Two of the most respected practitioners working in the entertainment industry have slammed the U.K. government’s ongoing plans for broadcasters Channel 4 and BBC.

Earlier this month, U.K. Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries confirmed plans to sell Channel 4, citing the need to compete with the global streamers and saying that the proceeds of the sale would be put into independent production and creative skills in priority parts of the country.

Sections of the industry did not take kindly to the plan, leading to arguments and counter-arguments in the U.K. media. Tessa Ross, BAFTA winner for outstanding British contribution to cinema, whose credits include “Billy Elliott,” “Slumdog Millionaire,” “Last King of Scotland,” “Ex Machina” and “Room,” and who has served as controller of film and drama at Channel 4, and as British Film Institute and National Film and Television School governor, is one of those unhappy with the decision.

Ross currently serves as co-CEO of House Productions (“Brexit”). “What’s going on with Channel 4 is clearly going to be a large and loud conversation over a period of time now, and the government’s intention is now obviously very clear.