Sell off of Channel 4

Ask the question - if Channel 4 did not exist now, would the Government establish it?

The answer is clearly “no” and that is enough to justify the State selling it off and gaining the £1 billion to spend on things that the State does need to spend money on...
Like Potholes.

It’s always amusing when the bbc and now ch4 is accused of bias one way or the other, suppose it does prove their balance.

I'm sorry to have to tell you all that Sir David Attenborough thinks its a bad idea.

Case closed, as far as I'm concerned.

Kandinsky

C4 is hardly independent - it couldn’t be more left wing if it tried. ( well C4 news anyway )

Which programmes? Only they seem to have passed me by.

But assuming that you were correct does it matter?

C4 is hardly independent - it couldn’t be more left wing if it tried. ( well C4 news anyway )

I wonder who will get it. Murdoch in return for his support at the next election?

The taxpayer gets to watch a very good tv channel for free.
The arts are important for our well being as a nation. Has the Government forgotten what they are actually for? The country should be run for the good of its citizens not for the good of the Tory party.

Am I? I’ve not listened to her. ?

Urmstongran

The government can sell it and pocket over a billion ££s. Every little helps the economy? At present, yes we have a channel but the taxpayer gets nothing out of the arrangement.

You are beginning to sound like Dorries.

The government can sell it and pocket over a billion ££s. Every little helps the economy? At present, yes we have a channel but the taxpayer gets nothing out of the arrangement.

But Urmstongran it stands on its own two feet now, and very successfully. It makes very good programmes and we can watch it for free. Why on earth alter that?

This is Brexiteer's vindictiveness. Nadine Dorries pleasing Bollux Johnson again. Senior Tories are putting in a word for Channel 4 I see.
Not only news but Film4 - a good asset to the Arts in the UK.

I like Walter Presents - it’s a great free streaming service .

I know. I used to love Brookside in the 80’s. and I do watch some of the documentaries now. It’s a decent channel. Someone will buy it I’m sure and then it will sink or swim in the free market.

Jonathan Lis
@jonlis1
·
20h
Be absolutely clear. This isn’t about innovation or the arts or creative potential. A government of thin-skinned vandals is taking revenge on a critic by destroying it.

Knowing the price of everything, but the real value if nothing.

You know that the News isn't the only thing on Channel 4, right?

Here’s a thought.

Why would a sale mean "eradication" and a reduction of the "free press". If its output were popular, a commercial buyer would purchase it and monetise that popularity.

But if the view is that its output is not popular and would never be able to stand on its own two feet as a commercial enterprise it will attract a low bid. And ratings may plummet.

A free press is not one where unpopular views are peddled by state owned TV channels. A free press is one where independent press organisations can write what they please.

Very disappointing. its Independant and produces excellent Tv. Why get rid of something which is above par. Oh, yes of course.....sell off the silver, why not.

Dara Ó Briain
@daraobriain
·
17h
It’s hard to measure the stupidity and short-termism here, or what the possible upside is other than to whoever will use it to make money for themselves. It will certainly make the UK poorer, culturally. Which is pretty amazing work by a “Culture Minister”.

So many artists speaking out against the sell off.

Alison Moyet
@AlisonMoyet
·
7h
Privatise #Channel4? Why? It’s not running at a loss.Why does it need to compete with Netflix? Not every building needs to be the tallest.Make no mistake.This is asset stripping. Billy Big Bollox getting the back catalogue.We need this outlet for our new unique burgeoning talents

Haha! ??
I have my reputation to uphold volver. You & others would be very disappointed in me if I didn’t stay true to form.

It’s what I think anyway. Different to nearly everybody on here I agree. But still.

No Urms, I am not biting.

Can anyone remember how a few months ago, that fool Dorries didn’t know how channel 4 was funded?

Now she apparently knows enough to decide it should be sold off..

God spare us from such ignorance and sheer stupidity.

You know things are getting bad when I'm quoting Ruth Davidson:

Channel 4 is a cultural jewel and we shouldn't be flogging it off to some foreign corporation to take money out of the UK supply chain

Former Scottish Conservatives leader
@RuthDavidsonPC