Apr 4, 2022
Channel 4 privatisation to go ahead
The government has decided to go ahead with plans to privatise Channel 4.A source said ministers believed public ownership was holding the broadcaster back "In the face of a rapidly changing media landscape". Channel 4 called it "Disappointing" that ministers had made their decision despite "Significant public interest concerns" over privatisation. Channel 4, founded by Margaret Thatcher's Conservative government in 1982 to deliver programmes for under-served audiences, is funded by advertising but is publicly owned. Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries said: "Channel 4 rightly holds a cherished place in British life and I want that to remain the case. I have come to the conclusion that government ownership is holding Channel 4 back from competing against streaming giants like Netflix and Amazon."A change of ownership will give Channel 4 the tools and freedom to flourish and thrive as a public service broadcaster long into the future. A government source said the channel would lose its "straitjacket" but retain its commitment to primetime news programming.
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