General : Channel 4 to be privatised

[Carth]

Isn't that the way the world works?

"hey guys, I've got this brilliant idea/concept, we just need to market it properly to ensure the public think they need it"

Originally Posted by Carth

Isn't that the way the world works?

"hey guys, I've got this brilliant idea/concept, we just need to market it properly to ensure the public think they need it"

Only in Marketing and Politics...

[Carth]

Originally Posted by Hugh

Only in Marketing and Politics...

oh, so a Government run/owned (whatever) business that relies on adverts doesn't fall into those categories then

edit: actually I may have read your reply wrong, but still, IMO 95% of the world is ran that way

[1andrew1]

Originally Posted by OLD BOY

I know that some take the view that the government plans for the BBC and Channel 4 are ‘revenge’, but there are genuine reasons as to why the government is taking that view. And it has nothing to do with revenge!

That's characteristically an old Boy opinion proclaimed as a fact and devoid of any supporting evidence. Channel 4 is a successful broadcaster and has adapted well to streaming. Its management state that it should remain constituted as it is. Advisers commissioned by Channel 4 estimated privatisation would raise £500m-to £1bn for the public purse, but hit the supply chain outside the capital, thereby at odds with the government's levelling-up agenda.

This was not in the Conservative Manifesto and is just going to waste valuable time in the Lords and Commons and will likely become another Johnson flip-flop.

[ianch99]

Originally Posted by Hugh

For me, this quote summed it up perfectly…

Another good summary:

Nothing remotely complicated about what the government is doing. They don't like critical questioning. They believe in the nonsense culture war gibberish about liberal metropolitans controlling the media. Channel 4 privatisation is a punishment for doing its job properly.

[DECKAS]

Originally Posted by ianch99

Another good summary:

I second that

[nomadking]

Link

Unlike other broadcasters, it doesn't make its own shows - they are all made by independent production companies. Any profits go back into programme-making.
However, the government says that because TV advertising revenues are declining (along with traditional TV viewing) and programme budgets are rising, Channel 4 is being held back from competing with other TV services.
...
The independent producers who make programmes for Channel 4 can make money when shows are sold to streaming services, or to broadcasters in other countries.
A privatised Channel 4 could make more money from those rights, and also make programmes itself. What's more, it could earn money by making shows for other broadcasters around the world - as BBC Studios and ITV Studios do.
Channel 4 would also be free of the current legal limits on how much money it can borrow.
"There are constraints that come with public ownership, and a new owner could bring access and benefits, including access to capital, to strategic partnerships and to the international markets," the government said when it launched a consultation into the move last July.
"Private investment would mean more content, and more jobs."

Coulda, woulda, shoulda…

[Carth]

Originally Posted by Hugh

Coulda, woulda, shoulda…

Originally Posted by nomadking

Link

A more serious response - this was the remit for the consultation

The consultation sought respondents’ views on:

• whether they agreed that there were challenges in the current TV broadcasting market that presented barriers to a sustainable Channel 4 in public ownership.
• whether a continued Channel 4, with a continued public service broadcasting licence and remit, would be better placed to deliver sustainably against the government’s aims for public service broadcasting if it was outside public ownership.
• what the economic, social and cultural costs and benefits might be to moving Channel 4 out of public ownership.

You may notice a lack of congruence between the remit and the response you quoted…

[OLD BOY]

Originally Posted by Hugh

Coulda, woulda, shoulda…

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.

[1andrew1]

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.

No evidence, just opinions. Which is fine but the two should not be confused.

[OLD BOY]

Originally Posted by 1andrew1

No evidence, just opinions. Which is fine but the two should not be confused.

The financial benefits of privatisation when advertising is declining has already been stated, but you are not listening, are you?

[cheekyangus]

Originally Posted by OLD BOY

The financial benefits of privatisation when advertising is declining has already been stated, but you are not listening, are you?

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.

[1andrew1]

Originally Posted by OLD BOY

The financial benefits of privatisation when advertising is declining has already been stated, but you are not listening, are you?

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?