Channel 4 attitude to region is typical
DEAR Editor, Jonathan Walker’s article last week citing MP Julian Knight’s criticism of Channel 4 and its pitiful spend in the Midland region is damning to say the least.
We in the Midlands are making a considerable financial contribution for all the other UK regions’ broadcasting output, with very little reinvestment coming in to our region.
Channel 4 has a particularly poor record in this regard.
We all remember their dismissive attitude when deciding on the locations for their regional hubs outside of the London “bubble”.
I think most of us in the West Midlands are of the opinion that the Channel 4 management team never had any serious intent in locating either their main hub, or one of the smaller hubs in Birmingham.
Don’t forget this is a broadcaster that as far as I can see doesn’t have a reporter concerned solely with Midland issues.
At long last there does appear to be some acknowledgment and response to these long standing and totally indefensible attitudes by people within our region – not least, up until recently, our largely silent local politicians.
As a result the BBC has agreed to increase its programme-making in the Midlands. Unfortunately, their “plans” are rather vague and do not go anywhere near towards closing the enormous gap between production in our region, as compared to anywhere else in the UK.
Channel 4 appears to have no such plans. When questioned on why they had such a low level of involvement in our region an unnamed spokesperson cited “Covid 19 affected budgets” as the reason.
It’s almost as if any excuse will do.
Do it yourself might be a partial answer to the problem and ‘Create Central’ may go some way in alleviating the situation.
Some definite news on what is happening with Steven Knight’s Mercian Studios would also be welcome.
The last I heard anything about this venture was midway through March when it was reported that an announcement would be made within a couple of weeks. We await further news with eager anticipation.
Nevertheless, even if these two projects do get off the ground and begin to deliver, it doesn’t mean that Channel 4, the BBC or
ITV should be allowed to pour finance into all parts of the UK with the exception on the Midlands.
We need more local politicians banging the drum. Business leaders and members of the general public also need to get involved to ensure that broadcasters, especially the publicly funded ones, live up to their stated beliefs of serving the nation in an even handed manner.
David Emson, Belbroughton,
Worcestershire