The Government has launched a consultation into the future of Channel 4, the UK’s commercially-operated public broadcaster.
Channel 4 is entirely commercially funded and has a brief to cover minority interests. It’s been confirmed the consultation will look into both its ownership and remit.
In a statement, Digital Secretary Oliver Dowden said: “now is the right time to strengthen UK public service broadcasters and consider releasing Channel 4 from the constraints of public ownership, enabling it to thrive for the next 40 years and beyond.”
The consultation will feed into the Government’s in-going investigation into public broadcasting.
Broadband TV Views: On the face of it, the Conservative government isn’t too fond of public service broadcasting. It is determined to clip the wings of the BBC and to see Channel 4 on its way to privatisation. What was right in 1980s Britain may not be the way forward 40 years later and the consultation will determine that. If Channel 4 does get privatised, just don’t expect a British company to be the lucky recipient of a new commercial franchise.
