New U.K. Culture Secretary Makes First Public Statements on Future of BBC License Fee, Channel 4: ‘We’re Looking at the Business Case’

variety.com:

K.J. Yossman The U.K.’s new culture secretary, Michelle Donelan, has made her first public statements about the potential sale of public broadcaster Channel 4 and the future of the BBC license fee. “We’re looking at the business case for the sale of Channel 4 and making sure we still agree with that decision and that’s what I’m doing,” she said of selling the advertising-funded PSB.

Of the BBC, Donelan said: “It’s no secret that I have been a sceptic for a long time of the license fee but as I said before, the approach I take on all policies is one to base my decisions on evidence and to also listen.

So I’m only two weeks in the job, I’m not going to make policy on the hoof, I’m going to look at this properly.” Donelan was appointed secretary of state for the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) on the evening of Sept.

6, just two days before Queen Elizabeth II died. Among the department’s varied responsibilities, DCMS were responsible for much of the organization around the Queen’s funeral, including the week-long, five-mile queue to see her coffin lying in state at Westminster Hall.