Channel 4 – sale of the century or end of an era?
22
sept
2021
- Time
Conversation starts at 6.00pm
- Location
A Media Society Online Event
Channel Four was set up in 1982 by Mrs Thatcher’s government as an advertising-funded Public Service Broadcaster - which cost viewers, taxpayers and government nothing.
It was controversial from the start for its content, which particularly angered some critics.
In 1995 John Whittingdale, then in John Major’s Government made his first, unsuccessful attempt to privatise C4.
He tried again in 1996 and 2015, and now the government is trying again with the argument that C4 needs the big money it can only get from a major media organisation to compete with the “California Streamers”.
C4 itself disputes this and so do many of its stakeholders.
Hear the arguments and the debate from key industry players in our exclusive live TMS discussion on Wednesday September 22nd at 6pm.
The discussion on Wednesday is highly topical - given last week's Government reshuffle, the ending of the DCMS consultation phase, and the ongoing debate around the role and future of the channel.
Our Panel
David Elstein - Former Director of Programmes at Thames TV, Head of Programming at BSkyB, and CEO Channel 5
Patrick Barwise - Professor of Management and Marketing at London Business School
Lorraine Heggessey - Former Controller of BBC1 and CEO of Talkback Thames
Phil Smith - Director General ISBA
Our Chair
James Ball - Global Editor at The Bureau of Investigative Journalism
TICKETS
Please note:
Entry tickets are £10 each which helps cover our costs.
We will be making a number of free tickets available for students and anyone currently un-waged.
The Media Society is a volunteer run Charity committed to open access for all our Media themed events.
ZOOM waiting room open at 5.45pm.
Conversation starts at 6.00pm prompt.