{"id":13344,"date":"2022-04-05T12:39:56","date_gmt":"2022-04-05T10:39:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.radiotimes.com\/?p=1620978"},"modified":"2022-04-05T13:00:11","modified_gmt":"2022-04-05T11:00:11","slug":"why-is-channel-4-being-sold-ownership-and-privatisation-explained","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/rss_feed\/why-is-channel-4-being-sold-ownership-and-privatisation-explained\/","title":{"rendered":"Why is Channel 4 being sold? Ownership and privatisation explained"},"content":{"rendered":"

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By Lewis Knight\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Tuesday, 05 April 2022 at 12:00 am<\/p>

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After a lengthy public consultation, Channel 4 is due to be privatised.<\/p>\n

The public service broadcaster, which was founded by the UK government under Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in 1982, is due to be sold.<\/p>\n

The decision was announced by Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries on Monday 4th April 2022.<\/p>\n

However, how is Channel 4 currently funded, who owns it and when can we expect the channel to be sold?<\/p>\n

Here is everything you need to know on the news and the reaction.<\/p>

Who owns Channel 4?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Channel 4 is a public broadcaster that is owned by the UK government.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Created in 1982 by the Conservative government under Margaret Thatcher, the network was set up to help serve and represent under-represented audiences.<\/p>\n

Unlike the BBC, Channel 4 is funded by advertising but has remained publicly owned.<\/p>\n

However, on Monday 4th April 2022, Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries confirmed that Channel 4 would be privatised as the UK government under Boris Johnson looks to sell the network.<\/p>\n

Why is Channel 4 being sold?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries announced the decision to privatise Channel 4<\/span><\/figcaption> Leon Neal\/Getty Images<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

After a public consultation on the future of Channel 4, Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries released a statement on the decision to sell the public broadcaster.<\/p>\n

Dorries commented: \u201cChannel 4 rightly holds a cherished place in British life and I want that to remain the case.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have come to the conclusion that government ownership is holding Channel 4 back from competing against streaming giants like Netflix and Amazon.<\/p>\n

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\u201cA change of ownership will give Channel 4 the tools and freedom to flourish and thrive as a public service broadcaster long into the future.\u201d<\/p>\n

Channel 4 rightly holds a cherished place in British life and I want that to remain the case. I have come to the conclusion that government ownership is holding Channel 4 back from competing against streaming giants like Netflix and Amazon. 1\/3<\/p>\u2014 Nadine Dorries (@NadineDorries) April 4, 2022<\/a><\/blockquote>