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Discovery, ITV and Sky are eyeing up bids for Channel 4
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Old 02-08-2021, 15:30   #1
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Discovery, ITV and Sky are eyeing up bids for Channel 4

https://www.reuters.com/business/dis...ph-2021-07-31/
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Old 02-08-2021, 17:05   #2
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Re: Discovery, ITV and Sky are eyeing up bids for Channel 4

Not surprising, however el gov holds the shares and if it still believes in Channel 4’s public service remit, which is distinct from the BBC and ITV, then it should not sell. None of these companies can acquire Channel 4 unless the government chooses to sell it - there are no shares listed anywhere.
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Old 02-08-2021, 17:32   #3
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Re: Discovery, ITV and Sky are eyeing up bids for Channel 4

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Originally Posted by Chris View Post
Not surprising, however el gov holds the shares and if it still believes in Channel 4’s public service remit, which is distinct from the BBC and ITV, then it should not sell. None of these companies can acquire Channel 4 unless the government chooses to sell it - there are no shares listed anywhere.
Yes, that's why there is interest

https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/bri...-4-2021-06-22/
Quote:
LONDON, June 23 (Reuters) - Britain's Conservative government said on Wednesday it was planning to sell Channel 4, launched 39 years ago as an edgy alternative to the BBC and ITV, to help secure its future as a public service broadcaster.
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Old 02-08-2021, 17:43   #4
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Re: Discovery, ITV and Sky are eyeing up bids for Channel 4

British gas Mk 2 ?
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Old 02-08-2021, 18:30   #5
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Re: Discovery, ITV and Sky are eyeing up bids for Channel 4

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Originally Posted by Chris View Post
Not surprising, however el gov holds the shares and if it still believes in Channel 4’s public service remit, which is distinct from the BBC and ITV, then it should not sell. None of these companies can acquire Channel 4 unless the government chooses to sell it - there are no shares listed anywhere.
As reported in the Telegraph:

‘An ongoing consultation has claimed that the broadcaster will struggle to survive on its own in the streaming wars and proposed changes to its remit to make it a more attractive commercial proposition. They include the ability to make its own programmes and own the rights associated with them, rather than rely entirely on independent producers as it currently does.‘

I think it is a good thing that C4 is going private. The programming on this channel and on More4 is pretty dire these days.

‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ is the only programme we have been watching on C4 of late, and I think the last one we watched on More4 was ‘Homeland’.
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Old 02-08-2021, 18:40   #6
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Re: Discovery, ITV and Sky are eyeing up bids for Channel 4

Another national asset sold off to be highest bidder with the viewer losing again in a race to the cultural bottom.
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Old 02-08-2021, 18:54   #7
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Re: Discovery, ITV and Sky are eyeing up bids for Channel 4

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Another national asset sold off to be highest bidder with the viewer losing again in a race to the cultural bottom.
How is the viewer the loser? If they could make their own programmes and be freed from the restrictions relating to having to rely only on independent producers, surely that should lead to better programming.

Have you totted up how many programmes on the Channel 4 bouquet of channels you actually watch nowadays?

Film4 is good, but that’s where it ends.
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Old 02-08-2021, 18:59   #8
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Re: Discovery, ITV and Sky are eyeing up bids for Channel 4

There’s no reason why Channel 4 making programmes in-house would automatically lead to an increase in quality. What it does is give the channel access to a content library it owns the rights to, which it can license out at a profit, or repeat on its own channels without having to pay repeat fees. Channel 4’s problem is that its very specific public service remit limits its potential audience and therefore its ability to make money. Cost saving measures like in-house production are useful in that regard.
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Old 03-08-2021, 00:39   #9
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Re: Discovery, ITV and Sky are eyeing up bids for Channel 4

Nothing wrong with independent producers except for not owning the content.

In-house production can lead to derivative programming, the various departments set in their own ways or feeling a pressure from those elsewhere in the company to conform, whether that pressure is actually there or not.

The strength of the British TV industry internationally is as much to do with its independent production companies as those made in-house for its big broadcasters.

The creation of Channel 4 back in the day was a significant part in the rise of UK independent production to what it is today.

Independent producers can end up making the same tedious, derivative rubbish too of course.

Film4 isn't the only thing still good, in my opinion. Walter Presents is fantastic (I usually only have time for those on More4 on Fridays, but I'd watch lots more if I had time) and so are their dramas and (to a lesser extent these days) their comedy on the mothership and E4.

It's the saturation of lifestyle, some of what is passed off as "factual" and the "reality" drivel that brings it down.
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Old 03-08-2021, 00:50   #10
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Re: Discovery, ITV and Sky are eyeing up bids for Channel 4

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Originally Posted by cheekyangus View Post
Nothing wrong with independent producers except for not owning the content.

In-house production can lead to derivative programming, the various departments set in their own ways or feeling a pressure from those elsewhere in the company to conform, whether that pressure is actually there or not.

The strength of the British TV industry internationally is as much to do with its independent production companies as those made in-house for its big broadcasters.

The creation of Channel 4 back in the day was a significant part in the rise of UK independent production to what it is today.

Independent producers can end up making the same tedious, derivative rubbish too of course.

Film4 isn't the only thing still good, in my opinion. Walter Presents is fantastic (I usually only have time for those on More4 on Fridays, but I'd watch lots more if I had time) and so are their dramas and (to a lesser extent these days) their comedy on the mothership and E4.

It's the saturation of lifestyle, some of what is passed off as "factual" and the "reality" drivel that brings it down.
I think the BBC’s 1986 charter was far more influential in fostering the development of the British tv production industry than the launch of channel 4, as was the general move to loosen regulation to permit more competition. Channel 4’s budget is and always has been small beer indeed, compared to the money the BBC has to spend on programming. From 1986 the BBC was obliged to spend an increasing percentage of that programming budget on external commissions.
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Old 03-08-2021, 09:03   #11
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Re: Discovery, ITV and Sky are eyeing up bids for Channel 4

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There’s no reason why Channel 4 making programmes in-house would automatically lead to an increase in quality. What it does is give the channel access to a content library it owns the rights to, which it can license out at a profit, or repeat on its own channels without having to pay repeat fees. Channel 4’s problem is that its very specific public service remit limits its potential audience and therefore its ability to make money. Cost saving measures like in-house production are useful in that regard.
I agree, except to say that the government is looking again at its public service obligations. As the Reuters article makes clear:

'Britain's government on July 6 announced a consultation on the sale of Channel 4, and it was considering changes to the operating model of the broadcaster, including its ownership, remit and obligations.'
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Old 03-08-2021, 13:29   #12
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Re: Discovery, ITV and Sky are eyeing up bids for Channel 4

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Originally Posted by OLD BOY View Post
I agree, except to say that the government is looking again at its public service obligations. As the Reuters article makes clear:

'Britain's government on July 6 announced a consultation on the sale of Channel 4, and it was considering changes to the operating model of the broadcaster, including its ownership, remit and obligations.'
From last month.

https://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2021...system-of-psm/
Quote:
Ofcom calls for stronger system of PSM

The UK regulator Ofcom has recommended a radical overhaul of law to ensure that public service media (PSM) survives in the digital age.

In a statement, it says that its recommendations to the government mark the conclusion to Small Screen: Big Debate, an in-depth review on the future of public service media (PSM). The report calls for the renewal of the PSM system so it can flourish for the next decade and beyond.
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Old 03-08-2021, 18:04   #13
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Re: Discovery, ITV and Sky are eyeing up bids for Channel 4

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I don’t disagree. The government and Ofcom do not always see eye to eye, and this appears to be a case in point.
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Old 03-08-2021, 21:39   #14
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Re: Discovery, ITV and Sky are eyeing up bids for Channel 4

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Originally Posted by OLD BOY View Post
I don’t disagree. The government and Ofcom do not always see eye to eye, and this appears to be a case in point.
You sure?

From the same time…

https://advanced-television.com/2021...to-psb-report/

Quote:
UK Government responds to PSB report

The UK House of Commons Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee has published the Government’s response to its report on The future of public service broadcasting.

In its response, the Government said it welcomed publication of the Committee’s report and “wholeheartedly” agreed with the Committee’s assessment that the need for public service broadcasting remains as strong as ever.
Quote:
“The evolution of the broadcasting market continues apace and it is important that we look at all the options for ensuring a successful and sustainable future for UK public service broadcasting, including how we build on the huge contributions the PSBs have made, the future role of Channel 4, and what the appropriate model is for the system as a whole going forward,” it (the Government response) states.
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Old 03-08-2021, 21:46   #15
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Re: Discovery, ITV and Sky are eyeing up bids for Channel 4

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There will still be a public service remit in all probability. It is the nature of that remit they will be looking at.
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