Channel 4’s future and potential sell-off to be scrutinised by peers
Monday 16 August 2021
The House of Lords Communications and Digital Committee is seeking views about the future of broadcaster Channel 4 as it launches a new inquiry.
Ministers are consulting on the possible privatisation of Channel 4 – the government’s preferred option - and now peers will investigate its remit and ownership.
Channel 4, set up in 1982, is publicly-owned but run independently on a commercial basis with profits invested in content. Unlike the BBC and ITV it has no in-house production arm and its programmes are made by independent companies.
Questions the committee is seeking views on include:
- If Channel 4 is privatised what would be the benefits and risks?
- Should the regulation and/or remit of Channel 4 be changed irrespective of its ownership?
