Has Channel 4 pulled off the Great Escape?
Opinion
With the slow-motion departure of Boris Johnson, has Channel 4 dodged the privatisation bullet and what lessons should it learn?
It certainly looks possible, but never reject the notion of Boris and Nadine pettishly lashing out Balrog-fashion (Lord of the Rings) to drag Channel 4 down as they fall into the pit.
After all, the sacking of Michael Gove demonstrates the outgoing Prime Minister’s capacity for causing what Gandalf deemed “a little mischief in a mean way” when warning Frodo about fallen wizard Saruman’s continuing faculty for evil.
Saruman, of course, replied “Quite capable, and more than a little” which may foreshadow Johnson’s desire to settle a few scores before he leaves Downing Street.
Also, the rightward lurch of Johnson’s would-be successors could mean that the scheme may not yet be dead; some consider the broadcaster as a suitable sacrifice to the departing shade of ‘World King’ Johnson.
If C4 escapes being auctioned off, what lessons should they draw from the experience?
Judicious engagement (rather than antagonism such as 2019’s melting ice sculpture) with the government of the day may be a consideration, likewise a more strategic mindset, rather than the current reactive approach will serve the broadcaster well, as C4 seem forever on the backfoot with the Tories.
If the 4: The Next Episode plan had been unveiled two years earlier, C4 may not have found itself in the crosshairs of the Conservatives.
Blind luck may not save the network in the future if they get off the hook this time.
And in terms of the industry itself, the relationship between C4 and the Super-Indies needs to be examined.
If the recent Government broadcasting White Paper is correct: “Channel 4 also spends less with the smallest independent producers than all other large PSBs – for example, only 16% of Channel 4’s average external commissioning spent between 2018 and 2020 was with producers with turnover of less than £10m, compared to 37 % of Channel 5’s.”
Some time ago I asked C4’s press office for clarification on this point — I have yet to receive an answer, despite renewing my request recently.
But if the White Paper is accurate, this situation needs rebalancing, so that smaller, regional producers get a larger slice of the commissioning pie.
And what now for Tim Davie?
Turing to the BBC, Director General Tim Davie continues to step on the proverbial rake. Could Davie’s perceived kowtowing to the Tories lessen with Johnson’s ejection?
His self-defeating impartiality drive (which reinforces his lack of editorial nous) has led to an exodus of journalistic talent, whilst giving succour to anti-abortion groups by softening their description to ‘pro-life’ appears to be an alignment with the religious right.
Incompetence/obfuscation continues with the Tim Westwood affair, who of course was a ‘star’ name at BBC Radio 1 and 1Xtra when Davie was Director of Audio & Music.
The words of Savile-investigating Newsnight journalist Meirion Jones regarding then-acting DG Davie unfortunately ring true: “We were both half-expecting that he might say: ‘We’ve got new hands on the tiller, it’s all going to change. Congratulations for going after that really important story. And – I’m sorry.’ But we got the opposite of that. It was new face, same suit.”
And in a time of budget cuts, the curious decision to impose a five-year window on producers selling shows made for the BBC to streamers appears both counterproductive (indies need the money to continue in business and provide employment) and ill-conceived.
As his tenure progresses and the self-inflicted blunders accumulate, the greater realisation must be that BBC Board were sold a pup when they appointed former PepsiCo salesman Davie to the highest profile role in UK broadcasting.
Why would Channel 5 want The X-Factor?
And finally, this news is a bit of a head-scratcher.
Why would Channel 5 want to pick up the show, which will cost a packet and has no guarantee of repeating anything like its former success before The X-Factor’s precipitous decline and inevitable cancellation in 2018?
Shiny floor shows have never worked for the broadcaster (witness 2010’s ratings disaster Don’t Stop Believing) and I would imagine that Ben Frow had greater ambitions for his limited budget than imitating former boss Richard Desmond’s costly resurrection of Big Brother back in 2011.
Could Simon Cowell just be running the idea up the flagpole to see if anyone salutes?
C5 have yet to confirm that they have commissioned the series.
ITV2 may go for a budget version – since they now have a ‘back-to-basics’ Big Brother and extended Love Island seasons, taking The X-Factor could mean that the scheduling team will soon be enjoying a very easy life…
Stephen Arnell began his career at the BBC, moving to ITV where he launched and managed digital channels. He continues to consult for streamers and broadcasters on editorial strategy. He currently writes for The Spectator, The Independent, and The Guardian on film, TV and cultural issues. He is also a writer/producer (including Bob Fosse: It’s Showtime for Sky Arts) and novelist.