A group of independent production companies behind some of Britain’s most successful TV shows is calling on Conservative Party leadership candidates to put Channel 4 privatisation plans on hold.
Firms that have helped produce highly popular programmes such as Peaky Blinders, The Crown, and Ackley Bridge have banded together to pen an open letter to the remaining candidates, adding their voices to a campaign launched last month by Oxford-based non-profit We Own It.
In total, 16 production companies have asked the Prime Ministerial hopefuls to abandon what they consider to be a harmful plan to privatise a valuable public asset.
In the letter, the firms highlight that as Channel 4 is entirely funded through advertising revenue, it does not cost the taxpayer a penny, on the contrary – the broadcaster turned a £74 million profit in 2021, contributing £1 billion to the economy as a whole.
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The letter also points out that the broadcaster has had a tangible positive impact on the UK employment market, supporting 10,000 jobs and 15,000 training opportunities.
“Channel 4 is the levelling-up broadcaster. Its unique business model makes working in TV and film production a realistic dream, no matter where you live in the UK,” We Own It lead campaigner, Matthew Topham said.
“Right now, Channel 4 supports 10,000 jobs, with hubs in Leeds, Glasgow, Bristol, and Cardiff, but cuts to one in three regional jobs are predicted under a private Channel 4, and 60 independent production companies are expected to go bust if the plans go ahead.
“If the Government is serious about levelling up, they need to protect Channel 4, not sell it off.”
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