Channel 4 privatization is off the table. UK Culture Secretary Michelle Donelan has written to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, according to a leaked letter published by journalist Lewis Goodall on Twitter, which says “pursuing a sale at this point is not the right decision and there are better ways to secure Channel 4’s sustainability.” Donelan wrote the letter yesterday to “seek clearance from the Domestic and Economic Affairs Committee” for a sustainability package, with Sunak expected to greenlight the proposals as a formality.
Donelan, who has been in post since September, had been examining the business case for the sale, which was rubberstamped by her predecessor Nadine Dorries last year, with the network valued at around £1BN ($1.2BN) at that point.
The move was met with a huge backlash from the British production sector, multiple A-list talent and rival politicians, who likened it to cultural vandalism.
Donelan instead plans to unveil a “sustainability package” to ensure Channel 4 “tackles the challenges facing the evolving media sector,” according to the leaked letter.
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