Channel 4move could ‘damage contribution’

Channel 4 has warned that forcing it to move outside of London “would be highly damaging” after the government announced the broadcaster will remain publicly owned, but faces being relocated.

How it spends money and where it is based is being reviewed to make sure it is “serving the country”, Culture Secretary Karen Bradley said.

The government wants the “benefits of this national asset to be spread far and wide, not just in London”, she insisted.

Channel 4 welcomed the decision to rule out privatisation, warning that forcing it out of the capital would harm the company.

A spokesman said: “The most important factor in supporting the nations and regions is where we spend our money rather than where Channel 4 is headquartered.

“A substantial relocation would be highly damaging to Channel 4’s business model and diminish our investment in the creative industries around the UK and our overall contribution to the UK economy.”

The government carried out an 18-month review of the channel, which has more than 800 staff but fewer than 30 based outside central London.

Ms Bradley will outline plans for the shake-up in a speech to the Nations and Regions Media Conference today.