Channel 4 condemns government for “prolonged uncertainty” over privatisation
Channel 4's chairman has described the “prolonged uncertainty” around the potential privatisation of the broadcaster as “not helpful”.
The government has been considering whether to sell off the channel since last summer.
Reports today suggested a partial privatisation is now on the cards along with the channel being moved outside of London.
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"This review was first publicly discussed in the autumn, we are now in mid-May, and prolonged uncertainty is not good for any organisation," Press Association reported chairman Charles Gurassa as saying after Channel 4 reported record revenues for 2015.
"It's not good for our staff, it's not good for our business partners, it's not good for our advertisers, because they are all asking … what is going to happen and what will the implications be?"
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Channel 4's chief executive has previously described talk of privatising the broadcaster, which is publicly owned and privately funded, as "puzzling".
An academic report commissioned by Channel 4 last month said privatisation would be "overwhelmingly negative" and that a full sale could attract a maximum of £500m.
It was released shortly after culture secretary John Whittingdale said privatisation could leave the channel "better off".
Read more: Why Channel 4's chief exec finds privatisation talk puzzling
It was first reported today by the Telegraph that, following an intervention from Downing Street, Channel 4 has escaped the prospect of full privatisation.
But other major reforms, such as the potential sale of a minority stake and the introduction of National Audit Office scrutiny, remain under consideration.
It also reported that Channel 4 could be forced to pay a dividend to the Treasury and move its headquarters from London.