UK government examines Channel 4 privatisation

John Whittingdale

The UK government is examining the privatisation of Channel 4, official papers have revealed.

Pictures were taken of the official documents – marked ‘sensitive’ – as a government official carried them into Downing Street.

A portion of the visible text read: “Work should proceed to examine the options of extracting greater public value from the Channel 4 corporation, focusing on privatisation options in particular.”

UK culture secretary John Whittingdale has recently denied active privatisation talks are taking place, but the papers reveal it is considered an option.

Channel 4 is currently operated as an advertising-funded public service broadcaster.

The DCMS issued a statement and said it is looking at different possibilities for Channel 4.

“Channel 4 has an important remit and we are looking at a range of options as to how to continue to deliver this, including options put forward by Channel 4,” the government department said.