[1andrew1]

Originally Posted by cheekyangus

Part of the point of Channel 4 is to stimulate and provide a platform for the independent television production sector. That's why when it was created it was deliberately conceived and structured not to make its own shows, just commission them, so there would always be an outlet for independent production companies.

A flourishing independent production scene is a key part of the TV ecosystem. If all the major TV channels/platforms only rely, or mostly rely, on their own in-house production, the whole industry, UK and worldwide, suffers.

The big bit quoted a few posts back basically says it should be privatised so it can make its own programming. Channel 4 was basically created for two reasons, to create distinctive programming, and to support independent TV/film production industry. If it starts making its own programming it's a slippery slope to being dependent on it, and then ultimately not fulfilling one of the reasons for its creation.

If there is a need for Channel 4 to make its own programming - which I'm not sure there is - it does not require privatisation to be able to do this.