Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Channel 5

Thursday 24 March 2022 · 3 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 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Channel 5 is noted for its 25th anniversary and role in public service broadcasting, including investment in regional content.
  • Channel 5 is commended for its commitment to smaller independent production companies, spending more than BBC, ITV, and Channel 4.
  • The Government has not yet made a decision regarding the future of Channel 4 and its public service broadcasting remit.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Rob Butler
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

Channel 5 is celebrating its 25th anniversary. The MP seeks an assessment on the channel's role in public service broadcasting.

Question

What recent assessment her Department has made of the contribution of Channel 5 to public service broadcasting?

Answer from Nadine Dorries

I congratulate Channel 5 on its 25th anniversary and note its important role in providing new programming, including a unique focus on children's television. It has invested significantly in the regions, making it a levelling-up broadcaster.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The MP asked for a recent departmental assessment but received praise and general statements about Channel 5's contribution without specific details or statistics.

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Q2 Rob Butler
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

Channel 5 is celebrating its 25th anniversary. The MP seeks to celebrate the channel's current and past teams.

Question

Will my right hon. Friend join me in celebrating Channel 5's team who had the imagination and confidence to do that then, and the current team who continue to bring understandable, relevant, and relatable news to people in all parts of the UK today?

Answer from Nadine Dorries

I will—I congratulate and applaud them. I note that one fifth of all its commissioning spending goes to smaller independent production companies, a larger spend than the BBC, ITV and Channel 4. It also exceeds its Ofcom quota every year.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The MP asked for celebration but received praise along with some statistics about commissioning spending and regional focus.

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Q3 Chris Elmore Lab Bridgend
Ukraine Culture, Media & Sport
Context

The Government have been playing games with the future of public sector broadcasting. The MP seeks assurance that any future ownership decision will protect independent journalism at Channel 4.

Question

While the Government have been playing games with the future of the BBC and Channel 4—and we welcome the extra funding for the World Service—their journalists have risked their lives to report the facts on the front line in Ukraine. Will the Secretary of State give an assurance that any future ownership decisions that she makes on Channel 4 will ensure that its in-depth, independent journalism will be protected beyond 2022?

Answer from Nadine Dorries

A decision has not yet been reached on the future of Channel 4. Discussions are still taking place and no decision has been made regarding news broadcasting, the future, and public service broadcasting remit to the nation.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The MP asked for an assurance but received a statement that no decision had yet been reached without providing concrete commitments or timeline.

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