CMS committee to quiz Channel 4 executives
NOVEMBER 27, 2023 10.42 EUROPE/LONDON BY JULIAN CLOVER

The Culture, Media and Sport Committee says it will question the chair and chief executive of Channel 4 as part of its regular scrutiny of the broadcaster’s annual performance.

Dr Alex Mahon, Chief Executive and Sir Ian Cheshire, Chair, will come before MPs on Wednesday 29 November.

Among the topics likely to be examined by the cross-party committee is the public broadcaster’s overall financial performance in 2022, which was down on 2021’s, and the broadcaster’s long-term strategy beyond 2025. Channel 4 has, in common with other broadcasters, been building its online audineces and MPs could also discuss its streaming strategy and dependence on younger audiences.

The MPs are also likely to examine C4’s safeguarding processes for production sets following various reports of ‘toxic’ culture in the broadcasting industry, and its work to improve equality and diversity within the organisation.

Questions may be asked about Film4, C4 Television’s film feature division and the largest funder of independent film in the UK and potential ways to support the UK film industry.