The Channel 4 "Bidding Wars"

[MrBiggieSMLZ]

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

Maybe in a couple of years into the future, perhaps? My bet is on more gaming studios, or Liberty Global's stake in All3Media.

[HarveyB]

I think that privatising Channel 4 is the wrong Idea. It should be kept public.

Thats all im saying on this

[JosiahStuart]

I think that Channel 4 should stay public too.

I must mention that there's starting to be a bit too much speculation in the thread rn.

[Spencer]

Given all that's happening at the top of government at the moment, I wonder if the legislation due in the next few weeks to privatise Channel 4 will actually now be published. The demise of Johnson's administration could provide Channel 4 with a last-minute reprieve.

[Brekkie]

You would hope so, though if he does stay also the fear he'll rush some stuff through too, though rebels will have little incentive not to rebel.

[Inspector Sands]

From BBC News:

Channel 4 privatisation and human rights changes may now be scrapped - think tank
If you're unclear on how a caretaker cabinet works, the BBC has been speaking to Dr Catherine Haddon, senior fellow at the Institute for Government think tank, to shed some light on what it means for policies.

She tells the BBC that Boris Johnson won't be able to continue as normal and will face some restrictions on what he's allowed to do.

"That said, it's not supposed to stop you dealing with the business of government," she adds.

"You have to make judgement calls all the time... where do you need to make decisions about the economy that could prove controversial... where do you need to drop things?

She suggested some policies that could be dropped include privatising Channel 4 and changes to the Human Rights Act, adding "some aspects of the manifesto are now just dead in the water".

[BcastCornwall]

There'd be a clear signal of change if these proposals are scrapped. No need for embarrassment. It really must be the end for the current DCMS Secretary too.

[Inspector Sands]

There'd be a clear signal of change if these proposals are scrapped. No need for embarrassment. It really must be the end for the current DCMS Secretary too.

I'd say it was fairly likely that she won't be back in that job under the next PM, she's too much of a loyalist to the current one and her reputation isn't great. I heard a good point the other day that the reason she's so loyal to Johnson is because she wouldn't get to promoted that level under anyone else 

Of course it could be that the policy gets picked up by the next PM but even then it won't be a priority for them

[Brekkie]

Although some candidates will be standing under the principle of a "smaller state", so the sale probably fits into that agenda even though C4 is entirely self funding.

Gut feeling is it will be scrapped though as polls just show it isn't playing well with voters who don't see it as a priority.