Julian Knight also suggests folding the business into BBC Studios

Julian Knight index

Julian Knight, chair of the DCMS Committee, has floated the idea of Channel 4 merging with ITV or BBC Studios.

Speaking as part of a parliamentary debate this morning (1 July), Knight said that securing the “recovery” of C4 warrants close consideration and raised weighing up the suitability of a merger with a rival as part of the consultation process.

“It would be a good juncture to consider whether C4 could be bolstered by a potential merger with ITV or even hive off BBC Studios, which has often underperformed but has tremendous international potential to build scale for Channel 4,” he said.

Culture minister John Whittingdale said that Knight raised a number of “interesting possibilities”, with the government looking forward to seeing what submissions it receives. “We maintain a completely open mind,” he added.

A number of Labour MPs lined up to criticise the consultation during the debate including Tanmanjeet Singh Desi, who claimed C4 is an “iconic” institution” which has invested £12bn into the independent production sector.

“It has given a voice to local communities and exported content around the world and recorded a record £74m surplus this year,” he added. “Could [privatisation] possibly be because C4 News is doing a solid job of holding an incompetent and crony-connected government to account.”

Whittingdale said that the government’s intention is to sustain C4 as it comes under “increasing pressure” due to changing viewing habits.

“While I may not always agree with C4 News I do believe it does a good job and very strongly support a plurality of news providers. I expect C4 will continue to feature a news service as part of its future offering and that will remain part of its remit.”

Grahame Morris, who tabled an early day motion against a sale in June, told Broadcast that he has concerns it is being driven by political motives.

“It isn’t based on improving output or contributing to the levelling up agenda. I am worried this consultation is cover for an ideologically-driven privatisation.”

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