Ofcom backs merger for Channel 4

Tete123 · 21-01-2009, 08:58 AM

The long-awaited Ofcom report into the future of UK public-service broadcasting recommended on Wednesday that the government should urgently explore blending the struggling broadcaster Channel 4 with another organisation.

The broadcasting regulator suggests that a combination of some kind between the state-owned, commercially funded C4 and the BBC’s commercial arm, BBC Worldwide, would be the most effective way of ensuring that in future there is “plurality” in public-service broadcasting (PSB).

FT.com / Companies / Media - Ofcom backs merger for Channel 4

Ofcom says “a more attractive option may, therefore, be to establish a second organisation alongside the BBC, with a sustainable economic model and with a strong public service role embedded at its core

Should state funds prop up struggling broadcasters? Discuss?

LA · 21-01-2009, 11:43 AM

Originally Posted by Taken from the BBC

Channel 4 should become part of a bigger organisation through a merger or partnerships, Ofcom has recommended

Ofcom has decided that the BBC license should not be shared with Channel 4, but that channel 5 and Channel 4 should merge.

Or that Channel 4 should merge with BBC worldwide

Originally Posted by Taken from the BBC

The media regulator has suggested in a report that the channel, which faces a funding shortfall of £150m, could merge with Five or BBC Worldwide.