By Patrick Barwise
Privatising Channel 4 (C4) has been proposed and, rightly, rejected many times, most recently in 2016. It is
opposed by C4 itself, all the relevant stakeholder groups and many Conservative Party1 politicians. But the UK
Government seems determined to push it through regardless: its public consultation on “a potential change of ownership of Channel 4 Television Corporation” (6 July to 14 September 2021)2 explicitly said that privatisation was its preferred option.
In this opinion piece, PATRICK BARWISE argues that the UK Government shouldn’t, but probably will, privatise the British public service broadcaster Channel 4
- Intermedia Issue:
- Vol 49 Issue 3
- Issue Date:
- September 2021
Patrick Barwise
Emeritus Professor of Management and Marketing at London Business School and former Chairman of Which? 
