Culture Secretary Michelle Donelan has advised the UK prime minister against the privatization of Channel 4, a government-owned television channel, according to a letter obtained by the News Agents podcast. Donelan reportedly wrote that there are “better ways to ensure Channel 4’s sustainability” and that privatizing the channel at this time “is not the right decision.” A spokesperson for the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport did not confirm the change in plans, stating that the government is “looking again at the business case for the sale of Channel 4” and that more information will be announced in due course.
Culture Secretary Michelle Donelan has recommended against the privatization of Channel 4, a government-owned television channel in the UK. Donelan believes that there are “better ways to ensure Channel 4’s sustainability” and that privatization at this time is not the right decision. While the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport has not confirmed the change in plans, it has stated that it is reviewing the business case for the sale of Channel 4 and will announce more information in due course. This news has been welcomed by trade association Pact, which represents independent TV production companies, as well as by Labour’s shadow culture secretary Lucy Powell. It remains to be seen whether the prime minister will follow Donelan’s recommendation.