Wednesday 13 April 2022

Channel 4 Takeover - BBC News: Derry Girls star; A private Channel 4 wouldn't make this show

Story from BBC News:

TV programmes like Derry Girls "would never get made" if Channel 4 was to be privatised - according to one of the stars of the show.

The government announced last week that it wants to privatise the TV channel.

Nadine Dorries, the culture secretary, says government ownership is "holding Channel 4 back", but others say the quality of programmes on the station would suffer as a result.

For Derry Girls star Saoirse-Monica Jackson, the news was "devastating".

"To be honest I think it's absolutely terrible," the actress, who plays Erin in the show, tells Radio 1 Newsbeat.

"I'd be really worried about undiscovered talent and the lack of that ever being brought to our forefront and being pushed.

"I think you need the opportunity to grow and writers need the opportunity to have comedies come out on Channel 4 and be nourished."

The culture secretary says a change of ownership will give Channel 4 "the tools and freedom to flourish and thrive as a public service broadcaster long into the future".

Saoirse-Monica was speaking ahead of the third and final series of Derry Girls which airs on Channel 4 this week.

© 2022 BBC.