Boris Johnson’s efforts to privatise Channel 4 are in jeopardy as a result of senior mandarins within the Civil Service have ‘severe reservations’
- Boris Johnson’s bid to privatise Channel 4 could possibly be jeopardised by opposition
- Some senior mandarins are understood to have expressed ‘severe reservations’
- Tradition Secretary Oliver Dowden mentioned the channel would not have a viable future
- No 10 was instructed by Cupboard Workplace privatisation presents ‘no worth to the taxpayer’
Boris Johnson’s try and privatise Channel 4 is being jeopardised by opposition from inside the Civil Service, The Mail on Sunday understands.
Senior mandarins have expressed ‘severe reservations’ concerning the plan, which comes after months of tensions between No 10 and the broadcaster over its funding mannequin and allegedly woke agenda.
Tradition Secretary Oliver Dowden has concluded that the channel doesn’t have a viable future within the face of the multi-billion budgets of the US streaming giants except an ‘various possession mannequin’ is explored.
However No 10 has been instructed by the Cupboard Workplace that privatisation presents ‘no worth to the taxpayer’.
Boris Johnson’s try and privatise Channel 4 is being jeopardised by opposition from inside the Civil Service, as senior mandarins have expressed ‘severe reservations’ concerning the plan
The station, launched in 1982, is a Authorities-owned however commercially funded public service broadcaster, with a remit to broadcast ‘numerous, various and difficult programming that appeals to a youthful viewers’.
One instance of such output was the much-criticised spoof Queen’s Christmas Day speech, with jibes aimed toward Harry and Meghan and Prince Andrew.
It was branded woke garbage, disgusting and mean-spirited by viewers.
Channel 4 chairman Charles Gurassa wrote to Mr Dowden to say the Authorities dangers ‘sleepwalking into the irreversible and dangerous sale of an vital, profitable and much-loved British establishment’.
Tradition Secretary Oliver Dowden (pictured) has concluded that the channel doesn’t have a viable future within the face of the multi-billion budgets of the US streaming giants
It moved its headquarters to Leeds in 2019 to attempt to head off the specter of privatisation.
Some Tory backbenchers have additionally raised objections to the transfer, with MP Andrew Mitchell arguing that the difficulty shouldn’t be characterised as a Tories versus Channel 4 debate.
He mentioned that there have been ‘many people inside the Conservative Get together who’re questioning’ the proposals.
The channel, whose present licence runs till 2024, was valued at £1 billion in 2016, however the worth of free-to- air broadcasters since has taken a fall within the face of competitors from streaming companies and a drop in promoting spending.
Final evening a spokesman for Mr Dowden denied that senior civil servants had argued towards the privatisation.
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