Channel 4 chief exec hits back at privatisation plans

By Neil Wilkes, Editor-in-chief | 06 May 2022

Channel 4 chief executive Alex Mahon says that it is "disappointing and a shame" that the government is pressing ahead with privatisation of the broadcaster.

Channel 4 chief executive Alex Mahon has described the government's decision to press ahead with privatisation as "disappointing and a shame".

Last month culture secretary Nadine Dorries outlined plans to sell off the broadcaster, despite 96% of respondents to the public consultation being against the move.

Talking to journalists earlier this week, Mahon said that Channel 4's own research had revealed that the move could cost the UK production sector £320m a year and endanger thousands of jobs outside of London.

"We have discussed this in detail with the government and I think it is disappointing and a shame," she said, in quotes reported by Deadline.

"I've laid out numerically why I think the move will have a negative impact but of course this is the government's choice and now we go ahead."

She added: "The consequences can be foreseen and we have a responsibility to point them out.

"I guess the question is 'What is the government trying to solve with privatising Channel 4?'. I'm not entirely sure what the answer is."

Recent reports have suggested that the sale of C4 could raise as much as £2 billion for the exchequer.

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