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23 Jun 2021

UK government mulls Channel 4 privatisation

Political Editor

Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden is launching a consultation on the privatisation of Channel 4.

The broadcaster is currently publicly owned and funded by advertising, but ministers argue selling it off could help it compete against the likes of Netflix and Amazon.

Critics, including Sir David Attenborough, say it’s a shortsighted political attack. Others worry the channel’s remit to provide diverse, innovative programmes wouldn’t survive.