Only just heard the rumour (denied by the BBC) that there had been exploratory talks to merge Channel 4 & the BBC.
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Only just heard the rumour (denied by the BBC) that there had been exploratory talks to merge Channel 4 & the BBC. Interesting idea even if pure fiction. #UK #TV #Television #BBC #Channel4
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@emsquared
There have been suggestions they merge, or that C4 should replace some BBC channels - under the last govt. I signed a petition...
Not heard anything recently but will check tomorrow. -
@tiggy Interesting. Not sure why i care other than for legacy reasons but it's clearly a difficult time to TV in general.
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@emsquared C4 is struggling somewhat, which is why it closed down its music network in July (and 4Music, which has long been mostly another repeat channel). Also, S4C programming is on iPlayer and Clic is basically a rebadged iPlayer service. If C4 want to go digital first they would need to do something about their awful player as well, and I wouldn't doubt that ads can be injected into iPlayer.
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@simon Maybe it would help C4 in that respect.I can't see how a merger (imagined or real) helps either survive unless pooling production facilities or allowing C4 to be the arm that attracts advertising (shrinking becuase advertising is going online rather than TV). Would only make sense if both contracted to become a production company with minimal actual legacy TV channel offerings.
As ever, I know nothing. -
@emsquared One aspect would be that C4 doesn't have other outlets for its content, and (I also know nothing) I wonder if their online offerings like Walter Presents aren't doing as well as expected, and they're looking for a two way partnership.
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@simon All I know is that streaming and online is the future, like it or not. The license fee charter runs out in 2027 for the Beeb. Channel 4 has had all sorts of stuff on hold just due to lack of money. Maybe both could become like Australia's ABC and funded out of general taxation or maybe merged both would find a way to survive. To me it looks bleak for both.
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@emsquared
It remains to be seen how this government are going to handle the BBC's charter. I'd hope it was better than was probably going to happen under the Tories, but... -
@simon You'd hope marginally better but, as we know already this is not in any way a radical government. We will soon see i guess.