Lord Burns: Privatising Channel 4 would be very damaging
Burns, who stands down from Channel 4 later this month, told an audience of senior broadcasters, MPs and producers that its not-for-profit structure continues to be successful.
Since his appointment in 2009, when the UK economy was on its knees, Channel 4 had delivered consistent yearly growth in advertising revenue, he pointed out.
Burns reiterated his opposition to privatising Channel 4, an option back on the Government’s agenda.
However, he said it was worth considering if the broadcaster should make a fixed financial return to the state.