Thank you for contacting me about Channel 4.
The previous Culture Secretary, after public consultation, found Channel 4 was being held back from competing against streaming sites such as Netflix and Amazon. As such, she felt that a change of ownership would offer Channel 4 the freedoms it needs to continue its success as a public service broadcaster long into the future.
The new Culture Secretary, Michelle Donelan, has conducted a business case review, alongside discussions with Channel 4 and the independent productions sector. She concluded that, while reforms must be implemented to help Channel 4 better adapt to the changing media landscape, this should be done within the current structure of government ownership, rather than through privatisation..
I understand these plans include allowing Channel 4 the flexibility to make its own content and a new legal duty to promote long-term sustainability, whilst introducing protections to ensure they continue to be an incubator for the independent production sector. As part of this package, Channel 4 will now commit to doubling its planned number of new roles outside London and doubling its financial investment in skills.
I welcome the announcement that Channel 4 will remain in public ownership but with greater commercial flexibility, increased investment in skills and jobs across the UK as well as new production arrangements to support its long-term sustainability and growth. Channel Four is not a cost to the tax payer but does need support to change with the times so it can continue to flourish and grow.
This is an issue which I have followed closely over recent months. The Culture Secretary spoke in the Chamber yesterday and I took the opportunity to clarify the focus on the creative industries workforce. You can watch this here.
Many of these reforms will be introduced in the forthcoming Media Bill and I will follow developments closely.