Channel 4 privatisation plans 'scrapped', report says

The broadcaster, as well as the BBC is likely to face changes, however

Culture Secretary John Whittingdale will unveil a White Paper about public broadcasting on Thursday (Getty)

Plans to privatise Channel 4 have been scrapped after an intervention by Downing Street, according to a report.

The Daily Telegraph newspaper says the state-run alternative broadcaster will likely remain in public hands but that other reforms and changes to its operation will be implemented,

Amongst reforms expected to be announced by the Culture Secretary John Whittingdale next week are plans to made Channel 4 pay the Treasury a dividend – calling into question its non-profit status.

The BBC, too, is expected to be made to scale back its so-called “soft news” output – including reducing or shutting down its recipes and cooking website.

A Government white paper on the future of public broadcasting is scheduled to be released on Thursday, at which details of any announcments will be confirmed.

It was revealed last year that Channel 4 privatisation was being considered by ministers after Cabinet documents were leaked on account of being pictured in detail by photographers on Downing Street.

In October the broadcaster’s chief executive David Abraham appeared before MPs and however said that privatisation would likely undermine the broadcaster’s independence.

Last August Mr Whittingdale said a change in Channel 4’s ownership was not up for debate.

The Culture Secretary said last week that abolishing the BBC was a “tempting prospect” and he has previously expressed concerns about the broad range of services and programmes the Corporation offers

He said last year there was “no prospect” of the BBC being abolished, however. But Labour this weekend accused the minister of being “determined to diminish the Corporation”.

“John Whittingdale seems determined to diminish the BBC and deliver a Charter that ignores the wishes of the public and is not in the interests of the BBC, license fee payers or our broadcasting industries,” Maria Eagle, shadow culture secretary, said.

“Proposals to further top-slice the license fee and pack a new governing board with Tory appointees would be a real hammer blow to the independence of the BBC, and be more evidence of mendacious meddling on the part of the Secretary of State. Labour will oppose them all the way.”