Channel 4 have today released a new report by EY, detailing the potential consequences of Channel 4 privatisation for Britain’s independent producers. The report shows the economic harm that would come as a direct result of privatisation, especially in the Nations and Regions, undermining the government’s ‘levelling up’ strategy.
Key findings include:
- 2,400 jobs currently supported by Channel 4’s supply chain could cease to exist
- Approximately £2 billion of Channel 4’s current contribution to the creative economy could be transferred from small and medium-sized businesses to a new, private owner
- This impact would mostly be felt in the Nations and Regions, which could stand to lose 2,300 jobs, and £1.2 billion of economic value to a private owner
More detailed information, and the report in full, can be found on the Channel 4 website here. There are four days left in which to reply to the DCMS’s ongoing consultation on a change of ownership of Channel 4; you can find a guide to responding to it on our ‘Not 4 Sale‘ page.
