Recommendation 88
Recommended (the committee's words)We recommend that regardless of ownership C4C’s voluntary higher quota for production in the nations and regions be codified in legislation and enforced by Ofcom . Skills and training
Select committee: Communications and Digital Committee
The future of Channel 4
Closed
Opened 13 Aug 2021
Closed 3 Nov 2022
1 recommendation
Communications and Digital Committee Inquiry on parliament.uk ↗
Inquiry scope (the committee's words)
Since its launch in 1982, Channel 4 has been in public ownership. However, the Government is consulting on a possible privatisation of the broadcaster. This inquiry, building on the Committee’s previous work on Channel 4 and public service broadcasters, will examine the case for privatisation and possible changes to the remit and regulation of Channel 4.
Where it stands
The inquiry is closed, opened 13 August 2021.
The committee has published 1 report, most recently 2nd Report - The future of Channel 4 on 26 November 2021.
The government's response
Published 28 January 2022. The deadline was 26 January 2022.
Summary written by Accountability Index from the government's response. It is not the government's own words.The Government "notes" the Committee's findings and will "consider the report's recommendations", alongside consultation responses, before deciding on Channel 4's future; it says no decisions on ownership have been made.
- On alternatives to a change of ownership, the Government says it is "analysing a range of options, including raising C4C's borrowing limit", and "will publish a rationale supporting its decision on the future of C4C".
- On the Terms of Trade, publisher-broadcaster restriction and quotas, it is "considering" the Terms of Trade within its wider strategic review, with conclusions "set out in due course"; it is examining stakeholder evidence on the other issues.
- On prominence, it says it has "already committed to act on Ofcom's prominence proposals" and to legislate "as legislative time allows", with more detail "in due course".
- On the Indie Growth Fund, it says investment decisions are "ultimately a matter for the C4C Board and management", and on All4 viewing data it says this is "ultimately for C4C and Ofcom to lead on".
Recommendations and conclusions
- Recommendation 88Recommendation
Reports
- 2nd Report - The future of Channel 426 November 2021 · 1 item
Evidence
- 4 oral evidence sessionsLatest 19 October 2021
- 16 witnesses
Recent activity
- Government response to the Committee's report "The future of Channel 4"28 January 2022, Report published
- 2nd Report - The future of Channel 426 November 2021, Report published
- Letter from the Chair to Julia Lopez MP, Minister of State for Media, Data and Digital Infrastructure, Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, dated 20 October 20214 November 2021, Correspondence
Recommendations and conclusions 1 shown
Reports
2nd Report - The future of Channel 4
- HC No.
- Not recorded
- Published
- 26 Nov 2021
- Items
- 1
- Government response
- Government response published 28 January 2022 (deadline 26 January 2022). Read the government's response ↗
Oral evidence sessions
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| Date | Session and witnesses | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 19 Oct 2021 |
Oral evidence session
Julia Lopez MP · Department for Culture, Media and Sport,
Robert Specterman-Green · Department for Culture, Media and Sport
|
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| 12 Oct 2021 |
Oral evidence session
Alex Mahon · Channel 4,
Charles Gurassa · Channel 4,
Claire Enders · Enders Analysis,
Luke Johnson · Channel 4,
The Lord Grade of Yarmouth CBE · Channel 4
|
View ↗ |
| 14 Sep 2021 |
Oral evidence session
Dr Helen Weeds · Imperial College Business School,
Kate Biggs · Ofcom,
Kevin Bakhurst · Ofcom,
Mark Oliver · Oliver and Ohlbaum Associates
|
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| 7 Sep 2021 |
Oral evidence session
David Elstein,
Elizabeth Karlsen · Number 9 Films,
John McVay OBE · Pact,
Krishnendu Majumdar · Me + You Productions,
The Lord Burns GCB
|
View ↗ |
Who gave evidence
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| Witness | Organisation | Sessions |
|---|---|---|
| Alex Mahon · Chief Executive | Channel 4 | 1 |
| Charles Gurassa · Chair | Channel 4 | 1 |
| Claire Enders · Founder | Enders Analysis | 1 |
| David Elstein | Not recorded | 1 |
| Dr Helen Weeds · Honorary Research Fellow | Imperial College Business School | 1 |
| Elizabeth Karlsen · Co-Founder | Number 9 Films | 1 |
| John McVay OBE · Chief Executive | Pact | 1 |
| Julia Lopez MP · Minister of State | Department for Culture, Media and Sport | 1 |
| Kate Biggs · Content Policy Director | Ofcom | 1 |
| Kevin Bakhurst · Executive Director of Broadcasting and Online Content | Ofcom | 1 |
| Krishnendu Majumdar · Co-Founder | Me + You Productions | 1 |
| Luke Johnson · Former Chair | Channel 4 | 1 |
| Mark Oliver · Chairman & Co-founder | Oliver and Ohlbaum Associates | 1 |
| Robert Specterman-Green · Director, Media and Creative Industries | Department for Culture, Media and Sport | 1 |
| The Lord Burns GCB | Not recorded | 1 |
| The Lord Grade of Yarmouth CBE · Former Chief Executive Officer | Channel 4 | 1 |
Correspondence
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