Director general says PSB rival plays vital role for indie community
BBC director general Tim Davie has championed Channel 4’s role within the PSB landscape as the government prepares to launch its privatisation consultation.
He described the BBC’s publicly-owned rival as a “brilliant champion for smaller creative industry businesses”, and said it plays a vital role in stimulating the independent production sector.
“I think it’s absolutely right that there are concerns that any future ownership [of C4] ensures that the current system, and what it brings to the UK creative community, is preserved,” Davie said at this morning’s (6 July) BBC Annual Report briefing.
“The BBC has benefitted from competition within the PSB landscape and importantly that’s not just about provision to viewers but is also about support for the indie sector.”
According to Davie, who is also industry chair of the Creative Industries Council, the “plural nature of PSBs” has improved the UK’s standing on the international stage.
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His comments came just hours ahead of launch of the government consultation into the potential privatisation of C4, which Broadcast expects to take place later today. It will be overseen by culture secretary Oliver Dowden and culture minister John Whittingdale.
The consultation will run over the summer ahead of the publication of a White Paper later this year, and reports have suggested that C4 could be privatised during 2022 if the strategy is fast tracked by the government.
Speaking exclusively to Broadcast this morning, C4 chief content officer Ian Katz said the broadcaster’s digital-first strategy is its best defence against privatisation.
If you would like to join Broadcast’s anti-privatisation campaign email not4sale@broadcastnow.co.uk indicating whether you are joining in a personal capacity or signing up your business, to enable Broadcast to highlight each area when publishing the results
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