The Channel 4 "Bidding Wars"

[KrazyKei]

Are there any other choices than ITN or Sky News?

[Internationalman]

Are there any other choices than ITN or Sky News?

Reuters?

[JAS84]

Or even the BBC, who do S4C's news.

[p2004]

I would imagine Newyddion is the exception in the fact that the BBC produce a bulletin for another channel. I can't really see them taking on the production of a major channel's news.

[Brekkie]

Of course the provider for 40 years would be the first choice but no surprise to see those who consider GB News, the Mail and the Express to be the last bastions of "independent" journalism to be whining about it.

[Jexedback]

Are there any other choices than ITN or Sky News?

CBS and Sky News, along with some other partners bid for the ITV contract many years ago.

[Internationalman]

Are there any other choices than ITN or Sky News?

CBS and Sky News, along with some other partners bid for the ITV contract many years ago.

He said "other than Sky News", mate.

[telebox2001]

Genuine question though - do ITN work to a brief? ITN make news for ITV and occasionally C5, but they play a much straighter bat whereas C4 does undeniably have a left lean, as does the general vibe of the channel. I'm not passing judgement on that - it's a channel that was set up to be the alternative and offer counterbalancing forces. But if a publicly owned C4 changed provider - say to Sky, would that Guardian-style aesthetic still be part of a brief or style guide or whatever?

I've not explained this well but you know what I mean.

[Roger Darthwell]

MediaForEurope (formerly known as Mediaset) has announced that they will consider a bid for Channel 4 once the broadcaster is up for sale
https://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2022/06/...nel-4-bid/

[Brekkie]

Genuine question though - do ITN work to a brief?  ITN make news for ITV and occasionally C5, but they play a much straighter bat whereas C4 does undeniably have a left lean, as does the general vibe of the channel.  I'm not passing judgement on that - it's a channel that was set up to be the alternative and offer counterbalancing forces.  But if a publicly owned C4 changed provider - say to Sky, would that Guardian-style aesthetic still be part of a brief or style guide or whatever?

I've not explained this well but you know what I mean.

Essentially anyone providing a product does so to the customers specification.    And what the Tories tend to forget is it is the Tories themselves who basically set up C4 to be more left leaning, to serve minority groups etc. in a way the BBC and ITV didn't at the time.  

That arguably set the channel up to cater for a liberal audience, though in news terms it's not so much the case that they are more left leaning but more analytical - so rather than reporting on what is happening they analyse why and therefore hold the government of the day to account.    People can moan all they like that they're biased, but they didn't show the Blair and Brown governments any mercy either.    Any credible news organisation will almost be anti-government by default.   That's how you know a free press is functioning as it should.

[NancerOnTheLIVEForum]

Do you think Warner Bros. Discovery would be a good fit for 4?

[Brekkie]

No. I don't really think any foreign buyer would be but that will almost certainly be the result. Even a British led bit like that above will likely be financed by foreign funds.

[MrBiggieSMLZ]

MediaForEurope (formerly known as Mediaset) has announced that they will consider a bid for Channel 4 once the broadcaster is up for sale
https://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2022/06/...nel-4-bid/

Do you think Warner Bros. Discovery would be a good fit for 4?

I personally think these are the best fits for 4 right now, on balance. This would allow MFE/Mediaset to expand to the UK - and even acquire more broadcasters in Europe. As far as WBD's concerned, I wonder how they'll integrate Film4 Productions with Warner Bros.'s film studios...

[Whataday]

I'm not sure WB Discovery need any more acquisitions right now. They're very busy getting their existing house in order.

[Brekkie]

As far as WBD's concerned, I wonder how they'll integrate Film4 Productions with Warner Bros.'s film studios...

That sentence highlights what a bad idea it is.