Channel 4 boss warns of ‘irreversible damage’ amid privatisation questions

CHANNEL 4 boss Alex Mahon has warned the broadcaster could have “different priorities” if it is privatised, and cautioned against doing anything “irreversible” which could “possibly damage some of those things that we do for the sector”.

The possibility of a sale of the Government-owned, privately-funded broadcaster has been explored many times over the decades. However, it could finally be steered towards privatisation as soon as next year, it has been reported.

Channel 4’s chief executive, Ms Mahon, warned of the effect it would have as the broadcaster published its annual report.

The report shows Channel 4 made a record surplus of £74 million at the end of 2020. Ms Mahon said the channel is “financially in a really strong position”, and added: “On privatisation, the Government has a right to look at it. But in any examination of it, we’ve got to be clear that it’s about making Channel 4 stronger.

“And, you know, my question would be: what’s the analysis to show what makes us stronger? We’re here to deliver certain aspects of industrial policy, in terms of how we spend money to help grow the creative sector, in terms of how we speak up for the under-represented, in terms of how we attract young people, in terms of how we are now looking at how we build those creative clusters outside of London.

“And I would be saying we’ve always got to be careful of doing anything that might be irreversible, that could possibly damage some of those things that we do for the sector, and that we do for the UK.”

Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden previously confirmed that privatisation of Channel 4 was under examination.