Channel 4

It was not until I saw about it being sold that I found out the BBC owned it. I was living in the USA when it started so that is probably why. I do watch a few progs on 4 and their news prog is very good. Hope it does not change too much if sold....

I am assuming that the BBC are feeling the pinch and want the money. Not always a good reason for selling anything.

I don't think the BBC own Channel 4

The BBC do not own Channel 4. It is publicly owned but commercially funded. it is profitable and the profits are ploughed back into programme making, not distributed to shareholders.

I like Channel 4 it has some good programmes as well as rubbish and I prefer Channel 4 s news

The 4 player has a great collection of old programmes. I'm re-watching The West Wing on it at present and enjoying ER too there. The've made some excellent documentaries.

Channel 4 has great need and fantastic European programmes via the Walter presents section on more 4. I'd hate to see it sold off. It's unique combination of state ownership and private funding.. the government should leave it alone and concentrate on more important issues

Above- News not need.

Is it possible that the government do not like Channel 4 News?

Channel 4 News is a must watch.

They'd do better if they sorted out the BBC first.

Once again politics is the only reason. I do use Channel 4 a lot particularly for documentaries and the wonderful All 4 European Drama.

However, I am writing because I saw “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it” Government money supports Channel 4 and Rishi Sunak has to raise money somehow! If I was in the Left I would not worry as the buyers will be those wealthy, left leaning media companies such as Comcast or one of Bill Gates cronies. Think of the joy you will have if George Soros has a bid going. Broadcast media is far more left leaning than the general population.

Shortlegs, it's the Government who plan to sell it off. Why shouldn't we blame them?
Doesn't make any difference if we do blame them, as all criticism is ignored.
Look at the Matt Hancock story today, 'Nothing to see hear'.

Varian
Totally with you on this. It will be the BBC next.

The BBC are politically firmly in the centre right.

But that is not good enough for the far right who are now increasing their stranglehold on this country.

The way they they attack the BBC, who are not even neutral, but on the side of the centre right, is to characterise them as left wing.

All these labels are relative.

This right-wing government is supported by the right-wing majority in the media - especially the right-wing press. So do not expect the readers of the Sun, Daily Mail, Telegraph or Express to ever believe that the BBC is not biased towards the political left. The readers will reiterate the party line.

I like grand designs and I used to watch Come Dine With Me and Four In Bed

I'm in shock ? ...been out of touch with everything lately! How dare they (the govt) come to these decisions ... which they will do after 'consultations' are over! It's how they've been running everything so far. It's upsetting to hear that such a popular TV channel could be sold off in this way.

They can do what they damn well like, because they were voted into government by a minority of voters to give them an eighty seat majority in the HoC.

This could never have happened in a democracy where the government rules by consent of the majority of voters but we do not live in a democracy

???????

“First they came for the journalists...

And no one knows what happened next”

In the interests of research I watched the Ch4 news tonight - as I usually do - and I'm currently listening to Andrew Neil's new venture.

Channel 4: Hancock, the building that collapsed in Miami, a report on children demonstrating against the situation in Palestine and being told by a teacher that "this is why people don't like Muslims". finally a report about how a new dam in Ethiopia is destabilising international relations in Africa.

Neil has just been browbeating Kenny Macaskill about a vote that hasn't even been legislated for yet, then using the phrase "Chinese communist jackboot" in what I thought was going to be an interesting discussion about press freedom (I was wrong). Now he's having a go at the Welsh for not flying the Union Jack.

Think I'll stick with Channel 4.

varian

They can do what they damn well like, because they were voted into government by a minority of voters to give them an eighty seat majority in the HoC.

This could never have happened in a democracy where the government rules by consent of the majority of voters but we do not live in a democracy

To be fair to them, as with reforming various aspects of the law etc they’ve always been open about wanting to sell off Ch4. It’s just that the electorate don’t seem to care. And now, those of us that do care are powerless because of the huge majority they have. And they’re now planning to take away our power to protest.

Okay - anyone who thinks BBC, or Channel 4 for that matter, are "centre right".... Seriously? Are we watching the same channels? BBC and C4 are both as woke and lefty liberal as it gets when it comes to news and programming - I honestly do not know anyone who still watches their biased news these days. When we have a plethora of subscription and online news sources available - why on earth would anyone want the biased Beeb and C4?

I like Channel 4. I watch All4 a lot too. I don't really like any party. 90% of all politicians are corrupt and don't give a damn about the "people". You get the odd one that tries but they are soon made to toe the party line. Also, both parties haven't sacked people who have affairs or who broke the rules in the pandemic so to me they are all tarred with the same brush.

Both parties?

Other parties are available.

Yes, I'm repeating myself this morning

I think they should keep it and make it into a designated Sports channel, then all programmes that people watch regularly (Coronation Street, etc) won't get messed about just because football/cricket/wimbledon/olympics is on.
If you can't stand sport you sometimes don't have any other choice than the "off" button. Why should regular programmes that people look forward to have their times changed in favour of sports?