Out you go

The bit of Culture Secretary Karen Bradley's speech at the RTS about moving Channel 4....

In March I announced that the Government wanted Channel 4 to increase its regional impact. Relocation may not mean the whole business, but I am clear that Channel 4 must have a major presence outside London, and potentially increase commissioning. In doing so Channel 4 can play a leading role, as a publicly-owned public service broadcaster, in a system that reflects and provides for the country as a whole.

We ran a public consultation on the best way forward. Today we will publish the results from that consultation, and I can announce that the overwhelming majority of respondents stated that Channel 4’s regional impact would be enhanced if more of its people and activities were located outside London.

One respondent noted that Channel 4 is an important part of a media sector that has a “duty to hold up a mirror to the nation”. I think this is a really nice way to sum up how we feel about Channel 4.

A significant majority further agreed that increasing Channel 4’s commissioning quotas would be an appropriate and effective way to enhance Channel 4’s impact in the nations and regions.

We also commissioned independent economic analysis. This is due to report to us next week, but emerging findings suggest there would be regional economic benefits from relocating Channel 4 and from increasing commissioning.

Channel 4 has often led the way in representing different communities. Its commitment to disability, for example, is superb - its year of disability in 2016 was a tremendous success, and developing The Last Leg into a mainstream success is testament to its efforts. I know Channel 4 works very hard to give a voice to as wide a range of people as possible.

It is this very sensibility that makes it well placed to relocate outside London - along with its unique status as a public service broadcaster paid for by commercial activity but owned by the taxpayer.

I want to be very clear regarding Channel 4 - it is a great broadcaster with many fantastic programmes. However, as a public asset I expect it to do even more to support the whole country. 

Decisions about its programming should not all be made in the bubble of Westminster. And people seeking to work in the media should not feel that they have to move to London.

I will continue to work really closely with Channel 4, and my preference is to agree a way forward in concert with Channel 4.

I am delighted that Alex Mahon has been appointed CEO. She has had a fantastic career in software, TV and retail, along with her commendable work as Appeal Chair of The Scar Free Foundation.

I am conscious that Alex doesn’t formally start until November, but we have already had constructive discussions. We have got to get this right for Channel 4 and the country that owns it.

This is about Channel 4’s long-term future, and it may take some time to resolve. We are not looking at people moving tomorrow, but I do expect change by the end of this Parliament - and I hope to reach an agreement with Channel 4 on the direction forward by the end of the year.