UK TV producers have made a last gasp attempt to stop the next Prime Minister privatizing Channel 4 as the country prepares for Monday’s big announcement, but the noises coming from Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak’s camps are not good.More than 750 indies including major groups such as All3Media and Banijay signed an open letter organized by UK trade body Pact urging either Truss or Sunak to “reconsider plans” that would have a “devastating impact not only on production companies, but also on the country’s leveling up efforts.” “Leveling up” refers to current Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s drive to level the playing field between metropolitan areas like London and other regions. Scroll down for the full letter.The letter flagged research that found privatizing Channel 4 would lose the nation’s indie film and TV sector £4.2B ($4.9B) across a decade as the It’s a Sin network would no longer be prevented from producing shows in-house, which makes up part of its current remit.Production companies outside London would suffer, it added, as quotas for making shows outside the capital would be “substantially lowered.”“In the current economic climate of high inflation, the rising cost of living, widespread strike action and public services trying to rebuild from the pandemic, now is the time to focus on more pressing challenges than the unpopular privatisation of a beloved broadcaster,” said the letter, pointing to recent polling finding the sale of Channel 4 is bottom of Conservative voters’ priority lists.“We recognise that Channel 4 is not perfect, just like every other organisation. However, taking forward privatisation plans in their current form would damage a thriving independent sector, deter voters, and endanger [former UK Prime Minister] Margaret Thatcher’s legacy. We strongly urge you to reconsider these plans.”The new Prime Minister, who is being appointed by Conservative Party members after Boris Johnson resigned in disgrace in July, will be unveiled on Monday.Pact has repeatedly pushed the government to reconsider since the plans were first forged last year and, while they passed through parliament in May, any new Prime Minister could reverse them through legislation.The noises coming out of favorite Truss’ camp are not good, however.She is a free marketeer who, while not fully committing to privatization, said she “prefers to have companies operating in the private sector” when questioned on the subject during one of many hustings several weeks back.Sunak, who polling shows will likely lose, has also said he will “take forward” Channel 4 privatization.The lobbying will not stop here and indies are preparing for a renewed bombardment to prevent the new Prime Minister pushing through the legislation that they are unilaterally in agreement will damage the sector.
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