Channel 4 Takeover - Variety: U.K. Producers Call on Next Prime Minister to Halt Channel 4 Privatization

Story from Variety:

Over 700 U.K. production companies, ranging from tiny indies to industry titans, have signed an open letter addressed to the next U.K. Prime Minister urging the privatization of public broadcaster Channel 4 to be halted in its tracks.

Current Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who resigned in July but remains in office until next Monday (Sept. 5), is set to be replaced by either Liz Truss or Rishi Sunak, who are both frontrunners for the top job.

Under Johnson’s administration, plans for privatizing Channel 4 were already in motion under culture secretary Nadine Dorries, a former actor who is almost unanimously unpopular in the industry.

With a change of leadership, producers are hoping Channel 4 might get a last minute stay of execution. Producers’ body Pact have now organized the letter, addressed jointly to Truss and Sunak, in which they write: “…taking forward privatisation plans in their current form would damage a thriving independent sector, deter voters, and endanger Margaret Thatcher’s legacy. We strongly urge you to reconsider these plans.”

Among the signatories are “Conversations With Friends” producer Element Pictures, “Peppa Pig” owners Entertainment One, “Doctor Who” producers Bad Wolf and unscripted giant Banijay, responsible for formats including “Big Brother.”