General : Channel 4 to be privatised

Originally Posted by 1andrew1

What do you mean by the financial benefit of privatisation? Channel 4's revenues have been growing and it has diversified its income streams eg pay TV streaming service app All4. It's possible they could be diversified further but adding shareholders who will need a return on their £1bn investment won't benefit Channel 4 financially. This is a solution in search of a problem and will just waste valuable time in the Commons and Lords and likely go nowhere.
Shouldn't the government be spending its limited legislative time on things like GDPR reform? Or has it run out of ideas and acknowledged there will be no bonfire of red tape?

[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.

[epsilon]

Originally Posted by 1andrew1

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.

No and no. It would need a massive investment to build new production studios and why would an investor spend money building new infrastructure for a company supposedly losing its main source of income? The trend has been away from TV companies making their own programmes for years. Thames was a major content producer as have been the successor companies of the original Thames owners (Fremantle etc). Carlton, however, preferred to commission content from independent producers when it took over the London weekday franchise. The bulk of the production facilities of the former ITV regional franchises has been disposed of. It would be a very strange move for Channel 4 to try to reverse the trend of the last few decades. If an investor wishes to start a production venture, surely it would be better to start from scratch rather than to take on the commitments of a PSB.

Originally Posted by epsilon

No and no. It would need a massive investment to build new production studios and why would an investor spend money building new infrastructure for a company supposedly losing its main source of income? The trend has been away from TV companies making their own programmes for years. Thames was a major content producer as have been the successor companies of the original Thames owners (Fremantle etc). Carlton, however, preferred to commission content from independent producers when it took over the London weekday franchise. The bulk of the production facilities of the former ITV regional franchises has been disposed of. It would be a very strange move for Channel 4 to try to reverse the trend of the last few decades. If an investor wishes to start a production venture, surely it would be better to start from scratch rather than take on the commitments of a PSB.

This ^

Tory policy since the 1980s has been to maintain an environment in which independent TV production companies can thrive. Channel 4 has been a commissioner rather than a maker from the outset; the BBC’s charter renewed in 1981 began to compel it to commission a percentage of its content rather than making it in-house. As recently as 2016 the government was threatening to compel the BBC to commission 100% of its content externally. Offering in-house production potential as a supposed benefit of privatisation of Channel 4 is perverse.

[cheekyangus]

Originally Posted by 1andrew1

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.

Indeed.

Originally Posted by OLD BOY

Typical. You get some evidence you’ve been calling for from people you disagree with, and instead of having a discussion, you deride the response with something barmy like this and simply stick with your views because you’re always right. Even when you are wrong.

And then we go round in yet another circle.

Irony called - it says you’ve won this year’s prize for lack of self-awareness…

There was no "evidence", only an opinions that something might/could happen, not would happen.

[Carth]

Originally Posted by Hugh

Irony called - it’s says you’ve won this year’s prize for lack of self-awareness…

There was no "evidence", only an opinions that something might/could happen, not would happen.

Which, when spoken by so called 'experts' and posted on forums/message boards, is often taken as fact . . . just saying like . . worst/best case scenarios and all that

But Hugh is right, it's mostly 'could, should, might, possibly' etc etc when people are trying to convince you of something.

[OLD BOY]

I'm tempted to ask forum members when they last watched a programme on Channel 4, but I stopped myself because I know that supportive people are highly likely to lie. However, my own local surveys show that not many people watch this channel. I recommend that advocates of this channel do the same. But if those people are left-wing types, I can probably predict their responses!

The people who are supporting the channel appear to be anti-capitalist types supporting the woke community, but they can't accept that they are in the minority.

Originally Posted by OLD BOY

I'm tempted to ask forum members when they last watched a programme on Channel 4, but I stopped myself because I know that supportive people are highly likely to lie. However, my own local surveys show that not many people watch this channel. I recommend that advocates of this channel do the same. But if those people are left-wing types, I can probably predict their responses!

The people who are supporting the channel appear to be anti-capitalist types supporting the woke community, but they can't accept that they are in the minority.

I watch Channel 4 news every evening.And what's wrong with being anti-capitalist?And who says we are in the minority?

[daveeb]

Originally Posted by Maggy

I watch Channel 4 news every evening.And what's wrong with being anti-capitalist?And who says we are in the minority?

Me too, I regularly do the rounds of BBC, ITV then C4 and I find it the best news program of the three. We are both probably lying though as it conflicts with OB's opinion.

Originally Posted by OLD BOY

I'm tempted to ask forum members when they last watched a programme on Channel 4, but I stopped myself because I know that supportive people are highly likely to lie. However, my own local surveys show that not many people watch this channel. I recommend that advocates of this channel do the same. But if those people are left-wing types, I can probably predict their responses!

The people who are supporting the channel appear to be anti-capitalist types supporting the woke community, but they can't accept that they are in the minority.

Not sure you got enough derogatory stereotypes in that post, but you seemed to be trying very hard.

So basically anyone who disagrees with your view on this subject is a lying leftie?

From earlier in this thread…

Originally Posted by OLD BOY

Typical. You get some evidence you’ve been calling for from people you disagree with, and instead of having a discussion, you deride the response with something barmy like this and simply stick with your views because you’re always right. Even when you are wrong.

And then we go round in yet another circle.

You do realise that a "local survey" that only includes the members of the Winnersh Triangle Con Club and/or the Boris Johnson Sycophants Society isn’t going to be statistically/demographically accurate, don’t you?

Or did you just ask Pinochet, your cat, and took her "miaow" as a "no"?

[OLD BOY]

Originally Posted by Maggy

I watch Channel 4 news every evening.And what's wrong with being anti-capitalist?And who says we are in the minority?

Because a mixed economy is the best compromise, and works pretty well.

[1andrew1]

Originally Posted by OLD BOY

I'm tempted to ask forum members when they last watched a programme on Channel 4, but I stopped myself because I know that supportive people are highly likely to lie. However, my own local surveys show that not many people watch this channel. I recommend that advocates of this channel do the same. But if those people are left-wing types, I can probably predict their responses!

The people who are supporting the channel appear to be anti-capitalist types supporting the woke community, but they can't accept that they are in the minority.

Old Boy, before showcasing your prejudices, why not do some basic research? Look at ratings, look at programming. Are F1, The Simpsons, Great British Bake Off, Location, Location, Location, Chateau DIY woke?

Originally Posted by OLD BOY

Because a mixed economy is the best compromise, and works pretty well.

What the hell does that mean?

[Mr K]

Originally Posted by OLD BOY

I'm tempted to ask forum members when they last watched a programme on Channel 4, but I stopped myself because I know that supportive people are highly likely to lie. However, my own local surveys show that not many people watch this channel. I recommend that advocates of this channel do the same. But if those people are left-wing types, I can probably predict their responses!

The people who are supporting the channel appear to be anti-capitalist types supporting the woke community, but they can't accept that they are in the minority.

Where did you conduct your local survey OB ? the Wokingham Con Club? Were ipsos/mori involved ?