Channel 4 (Privatisation) Bill

A Bill to make provision for the privatisation of Channel 4; and for connected purposes.

Originating House

House of Commons

Sponsor

Sir Christopher ChopeConservative

Parliament last updated

29 April 2022

In Plain English

AI-generated

May contain errors — check source documents for definitive information.

This Bill would privatise Channel 4 by transferring ownership from the public Channel 4 Corporation to private buyers. It sets out the legal framework for the sale and how Channel 4’s assets and liabilities would be handled, with connected provisions. In short, it moves Channel 4 from public ownership into private hands.

Key Points

Enables the sale of Channel 4 from public ownership to private owners.
Establishes the process and legal framework for privatisation, including the transfer of assets and liabilities.
Could affect Channel 4’s public service remit, governance, funding model and relationships with the production sector after privatisation.

Who is affected?

Channel 4 employees and staffChannel 4 Corporation and its management and contractorsIndependent UK television producers and production companies that work with Channel 4Viewers and audiences who rely on Channel 4’s public-service programming

Generated 21 February 2026

Bill Stages

1st readingCommons

21 Jun 2021

2nd readingCommons

Committee stageCommons

Report stageCommons

3rd readingCommons

1st readingLords

2nd readingLords

Committee stageLords

Report stageLords

3rd readingLords

Royal Assent

Updates & Documents

News (1)

Channel 4 (Privatisation) Bill

24 Jun 2021

The 2021-2022 session of Parliament has prorogued and this Bill will make no further progress.

Parliamentary Votes (0)

No recorded votes for this bill yet.