The UK Coalition for Cultural Diversity (UKCCD) have published their submission to the consultation on Channel Four privatisation here [pdf].
It makes a key point that should concern Bectu members who are concerned about the quality of the content that they work on:
“This consultation takes place at a time of particular vulnerability for the independence of UK audiovisual production following the rise in SVoD streaming during the pandemic and the skills shortage resulting from Brexit.
For the first time PACT has recorded that UK commissions are in a minority, whilst the UK Film Commission has reported on a doubling of studio space as USA companies and investment groups expand their production capacity, including In Broxbourne, Hertfordshire; Dagenham (Sky), Twickenham (Time and Space Studios); Elstree, (Universal); Leavesden Studios (Warner Bros); Pinewood (Disney) and Shepperton (Netflix).
The mission and production business models of these companies are not coincident with the aims of diversity for a local audience at the heart of PSB.”