Statement from Channel 4 on Ofcom's review of Public Service Media

Statement from Jonathan Allan, Interim Chief Executive, Channel 4, on Ofcom’s review of Public Service Media: 

“Channel 4 wholeheartedly supports Ofcom’s recognition that bold, forward-looking interventions are urgently required to support our country’s world-leading Public Service Media for the long term.  

“Public Service Broadcasters play a vital role in our society and economy, but we operate in an extremely competitive global market dominated by big tech and saturated with unregulated misinformation.  

“Channel 4 has a unique remit and is leading the industry in transforming into a public service streamer. We particularly welcome the regulator’s recommendations on: the need for urgent action to ensure PSM prominence across platforms, including on YouTube, and to provide clarity on how TV will be distributed in the future; the importance of proportionate regulation and sustainable long-term funding for PSM; and the need to promote carefully considered PSB collaboration and strategic partnerships in response to global competition.   

“Bold action in these areas is essential to help support Channel 4 – as a publicly-owned but commercially-funded business – and the UK creative industries that depend on the sustainable, long-term investment from our PSBs. 

“We look forward to engaging with Ofcom and Government to build on this momentum and support the swift development of policy measures.”