Ian Murray will discuss Channel 4’s “unique contribution” to Scotland’s creative industries in a speech at the International Television Festival in Edinburgh on Friday.
Labor MPs demand the channel remain in public hands amid a controversial privatization proposal from the UK government.
Since 2004, the station has spent over £220m on production in Scotland, and is expected to spend an average of £20m a year in recent years.
It also provides backing to production companies such as Glasgow-based Black Camel Pictures, which produced Leith’s Bafta award-winning film Sunshine, and the Scottish company behind the popular real estate show Location, Location, Location. increase.
Channel 4 is Critical to the Broadcast and Production EcosystemIan Murray, Labor MP
Speaking before appearing at the TV Festival, Murray said:
“Hundreds of millions of pounds have been invested in Scotland’s creative sector, including many small and medium-sized production companies.
“There are a lot of Scottish success stories on Channel 4, including Reese’s locations, locations, locations and sunshine supported by Film 4.”
The Edinburgh South MP added:
“Broadcasters from Glasgow, and others from other regions and countries in the UK, have helped people enter the industry and make it accessible to people from all backgrounds.
“Industry across Scotland and the UK is almost universally opposed to government plans to sell stations.
“The next Prime Minister must listen to the thriving British television industry, the envy of the world, and abandon the needless, highly damaging and undesirable privatization of Channel 4.”
In private ownership, it remains a public service broadcaster and is obligated to produce content outside London and England that benefits Scottish audiences.DCMS Spokesperson
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Digital, Culture, Media and Sports said:
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“Channel 4 has good relationships with independent producers, including in Scotland, and there is no reason to change this. We are obliged to produce content other than
