BBC chair effectively endorses Channel 4 sale

BBC chair Richard Sharp has effectively endorsed the privatisation of Channel 4, telling the industry leaders at RTS Cambridge that its potential sale is “a little local issue” when viewed on a global scale.

After a speech extolling the virtues of impartial public service news, Sharp addressed C4’s future during a short interview. He said: “C4 was developed to bring a differentiated voice at a time we didn’t have open access to all the different voices we have now.

“It [privatisation] is a little local issue – this group [the industry leaders at RTS Cambridge] should be concerned about Britain’s place in the world, as an industry that should be strong globally. C4 will fit into the strategy of one of the big players.”

The likes of ITV chief executive Carolyn McCall and Sky chief executive Dana Strong have dead-batted questions about C4’s future, but Sharp was more forthcoming.

He said: “In a world that is moving so quickly off linear, it [C4] is timestamped in terms of its presence. That doesn’t mean it can’t make money from advertising, but I can certainly understand why it may need to now fit in with the strategies of some of the other players. It [privatisation] won’t be seen in hindsight as such a big issue by the world, as it is by this group.

Pushed on whether he had concerns about the impact on C4 News, he said: “There will be a consequence of it being privatised but that is part of some bigger trends which are more consequential to the BBC.”

Sharp’s comments struck a different tone to those of director general Tim Davie in July. When the BBC issued its annual report, Davie described C4 as a “brilliant champion for smaller creative industry businesses”, and said it plays a vital role in stimulating the independent production sector.

“I think it’s absolutely right that there are concerns that any future ownership [of C4] ensures that the current system, and what it brings to the UK creative community, is preserved,” Davie said.

“The BBC has benefitted from competition within the PSB landscape and importantly that’s not just about provision to viewers but is also about support for the indie sector.”

One senior independent sector source suggested Sharp had “thrown C4 under the bus” as a result of his remarks.