By John Woodhouse 15 September 2021 Channel 4 - a change of ownership? Summary 1 Background 2 Further reading commonslibrary.parliament.uk Number 9280 Channel 4 - a change of ownership? Contributing Authors Maria Lalic Image Credits Channel 4 building by Tom Morris. Licensed by CC BY-SA 3.0 Disclaimer The Commons Library does not intend the information in our research publications and briefings to address the specific circumstances of any particular individual. We have published it to support the work of MPs. You should not rely upon it as legal or professional advice, or as a substitute for it. We do not accept any liability whatsoever for any errors, omissions or misstatements contained herein. You should consult a suitably qualified professional if you require specific advice or information. Read our briefing ‘Legal help: where to go and how to pay’ for further information about sources of legal advice and help. 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Contents Summary 4 1 Background 6 1.1 A change of ownership? 8 2 Further reading 14 2.1 Parliamentary 14 2.2 Media and organisations 20 2.3 Reports 23 3 Commons Library Research Briefing, 15 September 2021 Channel 4 - a change of ownership? Summary Channel 4 is a publicly owned, non-profit organisation that invests its income back into commissioning content. It receives no public money and is funded entirely through its commercial activity. On 6 July 2021, the Government launched a consultation on the future of Channel 4. In a Written Ministerial Statement, Oliver Dowden, the then Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, gave this context: Since its creation almost 40 years ago by a Conservative Government, Channel 4 has delivered on its remit, aims and objectives. But, in that time, the broadcasting landscape has changed beyond recognition, and continues to change apace. Increased global competition, changing audience habits, the decline of linear advertising revenue and a wave of consolidation in the sector all pose challenges. The consultation therefore asks for views and evidence on what ownership model and remit will best support Channel 4 to thrive for another 40 years and beyond. 1 The Government’s preferred option is for a change to private ownership. According to the Government, this would give Channel 4 “greater access to new strategic and investment opportunities, allowing it to compete effectively in a more agile fashion and ensuring it has the best chance of a successful and sustainable future”. 2 The consultation, which closed on 14 September 2021, sought respondents’ views on: • whether they agree that there are challenges in the current TV broadcasting market that present barriers to a sustainable Channel 4 in public ownership. • whether a continued Channel 4, with a continued public service broadcasting licence and remit, would be better placed to deliver sustainably against the government’s aims for public service broadcasting if it was outside public ownership. 1 Written Ministerial Statement, Channel 4: Future Ownership Consultation, HCWS153, 6 July 2021 2 Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport website, Consultation on a change of ownership of Channel 4 Television Corporation [accessed 15 September 2021] 4 Commons Library Research Briefing, 15 September 2021 Channel 4 - a change of ownership? • what the economic, social and cultural costs and benefits might be to moving Channel 4 out of public ownership. 3 The consultation is part of the Government’s wider review of public service broadcasting, alongside Ofcom’s own review. The DCMS intends to publish a Broadcasting White Paper in autumn 2021. 4 This Library Paper gives background to the consultation as well as a selection of comment. 3 Ibid 4 DCMS Written Statement [HCWS113] on broadcasting policy, 23 June 2021 5 Commons Library Research Briefing, 15 September 2021 Channel 4 - a change of ownership? 1 Background Channel 4 is one of the UK’s public service broadcasters. 5 It is a publicly owned, non-profit organisation that invests its income back into commissioning content. It receives no public money and is funded entirely through its commercial activity. Most of its income comes from TV and online advertising. Channel 4 does not produce its own programmes, but commissions content from over 300 independent production companies. The public service remit of Channel 4 is set out in section 265(3) of the Communications Act 2003 and requires “the provision of a broad range of high quality and diverse programming which, in particular - (a) demonstrates innovation, experiment and creativity in the form and content of programmes; (b) appeals to the tastes and interests of a culturally diverse society; (c) makes a significant contribution to meeting the need for the licensed public service channels to include programmes of an educational nature and other programmes of educative value; and (d) exhibits a distinctive character. In addition to the main Channel 4 service, the Channel Four Group operates pay channels, including the E4 entertainment channel, E4+1, and three film channels. The Film Four division produces and co-produces feature films for the UK and global markets. Over three-quarters of the UK’s population watch Channel 4 services during an average week. 6 According to its 2020 Annual Report, Channel 4 had a “record financial surplus of £74 million”. Its revenues were “resilient” and were down only 5% on 2019. 7 The report also noted that Channel 4’s “model enables us to adapt quickly to how our environment is changing and respond to market challenges head-on”. 8 On 22 June 2021, when giving evidence to the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee, Alex Mahon, Channel Four’s Chief Executive, said that the 5 The UK’s public service broadcasters (PSBs) are: BBC One and BBC Two, Channel 3 (licensed by ITV in England, STV in Scotland and UTV in Northern Ireland), Channel 4, Channel 5 and S4C. For further detail on PSB, see the House of Lords Communications Committee report, Public service broadcasting: as vital as ever (HL Paper 16), November 2019; Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee, The future of public service broadcasting (HC 156), March 2021 6 Channel 4 website – About Channel 4 and Frequently Asked Questions [accessed 15 September 2021] 7 Channel Four Television Corporation Report and Financial Statements 2020, p5 8 Ibid, p22 6 Commons Library Research Briefing, 15 September 2021 Channel 4 - a change of ownership? organisation was “in very robust health both financially and creatively in delivering our remit”. 9 Future4 strategy In November 2020, Channel 4 launched a five-year strategy called Future4. This aims to double All 4 viewing and to deliver 30% of total revenues from digital advertising and 10% from non-advertising. The strategy also sets out a “new clearly articulated purpose for Channel 4” – to create change through entertainment. This purpose is accompanied by three statements articulating the organisation’s vision: • represent unheard voices. • challenge with purpose. • reinvent entertainment. The strategy has four pillars: • prioritise digital growth over linear ratings. • put viewers at the heart of decision making. • diversify new revenue streams to underpin sustainability. • focus on strategic partnerships to compete more effectively. 10 Alex Mahon explained the strategy further in a Channel 4 news release: Since it was founded, Channel 4 has invested over £11bn in original British television and we have always been different from other media companies in the way we play our role in that thriving economy. But, as we emerge from this pandemic, I believe the need has never been greater for a public service broadcaster like ours: one that can represent the unheard in our society, can challenge misinformation, and can create change through entertainment for all UK viewers and for our creative sector. Our ongoing focus is to continue to deliver our purpose and remit with meaningful scale and impact and I’m incredibly proud that we have already moved our viewing and our advertising revenues to digital at a faster rate than our competitors. We want to push this even further still, and our new Future4 strategy is about underpinning our commercial sustainability and ensuring that we have a clear plan to transform ourselves into a digital public service 9 Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee, Oral evidence: The work of Channel 4, HC 274, response to Q2 10 “Channel 4 sets out path to digital future with new strategy: Future4”, Channel Four news release, 26 November 2020 7 Commons Library Research Briefing, 15 September 2021 Channel 4 - a change of ownership? media organisation that delivers across the whole of the UK for the future. 11 1.1 A change of ownership? In 2016, a House of Lords Committee published a report on the possible privatisation of Channel 4. A Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport consultation on the future ownership of Channel 4 ran from 6 July 2021 to 14 September 2021.