Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Channel 4

Thursday 1 July 2021 · 7 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 7 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government is consulting on Channel 4's ownership model and remit this summer.
  • Channel 4 supports independent production across the UK and this remit will be preserved.
  • Consultation will consider whether changes are needed to meet current media consumption trends.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Navendu Mishra Lab Stockport
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

The Labour MP questions the government's plans for Channel 4, referencing previous statements and concerns.

Question

What plans the Government have to privatise Channel 4. Given its success story as an iconic institution investing £12 billion in independent production and regional TV, why would the Conservative Government seek privatisation again despite concluding it was a bad idea four years ago?

Answer from John Whittingdale

As part of our ongoing strategic review of public service broadcasting, we are consulting this summer on Channel 4's ownership model and remit. We intend to engage stakeholders to inform decisions, but not necessarily to privatise.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific commitment or decision about privatisation is avoided.

How: Consulting

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Q2 Anum Qaisar-Javed
Employment Business & Trade
Context

The MP raises concerns about the economic impact of selling off Channel 4 on the UK's independent production sector, referencing a significant number of supported companies and job losses.

Question

Channel 4 does not have an in-house production function and relies on independent external production houses. If they sell off Channel 4, how do the Government mean to support those production houses if thousands of jobs would be destroyed?

Answer from John Whittingdale

Channel 4 supports independent production across the UK as part of its remit. We intend to preserve this remit, although we will examine whether it needs to be changed or strengthened during our consultation.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific plan to support independent production houses is not committed.

How: Consulting

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Q3 Tan Dhesi Lab Slough
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

The MP highlights Channel 4's significant financial success and contributions to the UK media landscape, questioning why the government wants to privatise it.

Question

Despite recording a record £74 million surplus and investing £12 billion in independent production and regional TV, the Government is considering privatisation again. Could this be because of Channel 4 News holding them accountable?

Answer from John Whittingdale

Channel 4, a creation of Conservative Government, has done well. We intend to sustain it into the future while looking at changes needed due to media consumption shifts. Plurality of news providers will be maintained with Channel 4 continuing its news service.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific commitment about selling off Channel 4 is avoided.

How: Consulting, Future Sustainability

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Q4 Navendu Mishra Lab Stockport
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

The MP cites a chief executive's views on Channel 4 as essential for British entrepreneurs and the broadcasting ecosystem, questioning how selling it would affect these entities.

Question

Would the Minister agree that selling off this precious public asset to an overseas competitor without a remit for commissioning innovative British content would harm the UK's creative economy?

Answer from John Whittingdale

I agree selling off Channel 4 with no remit would be a mistake, but we think looking at its ownership is right due to competition from streaming services. This could provide access to greater capital needed for future success.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific agreement on privatisation harm is avoided.

How: Consulting, Capital Needs

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Q5 Julian Knight Con
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

The MP proposes considering privatisation and potential mergers or partnerships as the media landscape evolves.

Question

Given changes in media consumption, should we consider bolstering Channel 4 by merging it with ITV or hiving off BBC Worldwide to build scale for digital investment?

Answer from John Whittingdale

We are considering public service broadcasting changes and received an excellent report on media landscape shifts. We maintain an open mind about future ownership models but have not concluded on specifics yet.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific decision on ownership models is avoided.

How: Consulting, Open Mindedness

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Q6 John Nicolson SNP
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

The MP questions the rationale behind privatisation, citing profit motives and potential cuts to independent production funding.

Question

Why do Ministers want to sell off a profitable institution like Channel 4 free of taxpayer cost, given concerns over cuts to independent production and loss of regional focus?

Answer from John Whittingdale

Channel 4 recorded a profit due to cutting content spending. We are looking at ownership models to sustain it going forward, intending more outside London and across UK, not less.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific reason for privatisation is avoided.

How: Consulting, Future Sustainability

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Q7 Chris Matheson Lab
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

The MP lists several popular Channel 4 programmes to highlight the channel's cultural impact.

Question

"Countdown", "Derry Girls", "Gogglebox", "The Word", "It's a Sin", "Chewing Gum"—which gave us the astonishing Michaela Coel for the first time—"Educating Yorkshire", "24 hours in A&E", "24 hours in Police Custody", "Location, Location, Location" with Phil and Kirstie, "Friday Night Dinner"—these programmes demonstrate Channel 4's cultural significance.

Answer from John Whittingdale

I am extremely impressed by the hon. Gentleman's viewing habits, although I notice he left out “Naked Attraction”, which certainly does appeal to diverse tastes. However, I absolutely agree that Channel 4 has been responsible for some great programmes over the years, and it is our intention that it should be able to continue to do that in the coming years. It is precisely because it is going to need access to investment capital in order to maintain that record that we think now is the right time to consider alternative models, but we have not reached any conclusion yet.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask about future programming and cultural importance was not directly addressed with concrete commitments or details.

How: Under Review, Not Reached Any Conclusion

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