Channel 4’s Scrapped Sale Sparks Widespread Relief, But Producers Fear Sting In Tail
deadline.comThe British film and TV industry breathed a collective sigh of relief today after the government signalled its intention to scrap a planned $1.2B sale of Channel 4, one of the crown jewels of UK broadcasting.
Deadline understands that UK ministers could formally announce a U-turn over Channel 4 privatization as soon as tomorrow, with the decision all-but rubber-stamped by Rishi Sunak, the prime minister.
In a letter leaked to The News Agents, a daily podcast hosted by Emily Maitlis, UK culture secretary Michelle Donelan said: “Pursuing a sale at this point is not the right decision and there are better ways to secure Channel 4’s sustainability.” The decision comes 18 months after the government first floated the idea of privatizing Channel 4, during which time the UK television and film business has mounted a vociferous campaign to keep the broadcaster in public hands.
Channel 4 has been owned by the government since it was established by Margaret Thatcher in 1982. The not-for-profit broadcaster has a unique remit to foster growth in the UK’s production sector — commissioning all of its programming from independent producers — and take risks on innovative content.
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