An independent report by EY looking at the implications of the government’s plan to privatise Channel 4 has found that a privately-owned version of the broadcaster could adversely impact jobs in the supply chain with a 26 per cent decline overall.
The report adds that a privatised Channel 4 could lead to a £2 billion (29 per cent) reduction in the broadcaster’s contribution through its supply chain to the economy by working with creative companies, including the UK independent production sector, over a ten year period when compared to no change of ownership.
It also finds that the majority of the impact to jobs supported by Channel 4 would be felt in its supply chain, adding that the number of jobs “could decline by 26 per cent if Channel 4 is privatised and the publisher-broadcaster model is removed, compared to Channel 4’s current model (7,100 jobs supported each year compared to 9,500 jobs supported each year).”
“Many of the jobs previously supported by Channel 4 in its supply chain could move in house to work in Channel 4’s new production and distribution units, either as salaried staff or as freelancers,” continues the report. “As such, the total number of jobs supported by Channel 4 (both directly and in its supply chain) may not decrease if it is privatised and the publisher/broadcaster model is removed.”
“Moving jobs in-house to Channel 4 could offer new opportunities for individuals in the production sector to work at a broadcaster. However, concentrating more jobs in house at Channel 4 could have a detrimental impact on external production companies and on diversity of ideas and new talent,” it adds.
The full report is available to read here.
