The UK government has put back a decision on whether to privatise Channel 4, amid continued opposition to the plans.
The Times has reported the government has received some 60,000 responses to its consultation, pushing a response by new culture secretary Nadine Dorres into next month, or possibly the New Year. The deadline for responses passed in September.
Although a public corporation, Channel 4 relies entirely on commercial revenues and doesn’t receive any income from the licence fee. It doesn’t produce programmes itself but commissions all its output from outside contractors.
The government says the broadcasting landscape has changed since the launch of Channel 4 over 40 years ago, though maintains a privatised Channel 4 will still have public service obligations.
Miroma, a production company owned by former Channel 4 boss Lord Grade, is said to be looking into the possibility of a bid, while Credit Suisse and Robey Warshaw are advising ITV on whether it should also make a bid.
