[JohnnyBB]

The government has confirmed that it is evaluating plans to put Channel 4 at the heart of a new public service broadcasting entity designed to compete with the BBC on quality.

The interim version of communication minister Lord Carter's Digital Britain report said the government is trying to "establish whether a long-term and sustainable second public service organisation providing competition for quality to the BBC can be defined and designed, drawing in part on Channel 4's assets and a re-cast remit".

The government will deliver its verdict in the final version of the report, which will be published in late spring. The interim report has made 22 recommendations, including that Channel 4 investigate partnerships with BBC Worldwide.

The interim report said that the proposed new entity " would be a body with public service at its heart, but one which is able to develop flexible and innovative partnerships with the wider private and public sector".

It added: "While it makes sense to begin by looking at public sector bodies - Channel 4 and BBC Worldwide - the Government is currently evaluating a range of options and organisational solutions for achieving such an outcome.

"Channel 4 would continue to be the broadcast licensee within such an entity. For the public the viewing experience would be the same or better than today, but as a sustainable part of a wider whole operating successfully across the whole range of digital devices and platforms.

"There is a range of issues that needs to be addressed in achieving such partnership, including the governance and accountability arrangements required for any new structure. We will return to this in the final report."

The report did not address suggestions that Channel 4 merge with Five to secure its financial future.

[andyman]

No that is bad news for BB and Channel 4...

It will change into a dull ofcom loving channel.

[30stone]

Channel 4 will never be the same caliber as the bbc..

[arista]

Originally posted by 30stone
Channel 4 will never be the same caliber as the bbc..

Ch4 News is far better than the Restricted Bloated BBC News.

[30stone]

Originally posted by arista

Ch4 News is far better than the Restricted Bloated BBC News.

Ive never seen ch4 news. but whats restricted and bloated about bbc news?

[arista]

Originally posted by 30stone

Ive never seen ch4 news. but whats restricted and bloated about bbc news?

The BBC is Bloated due to the massive public money they burrn
and their news is restricted
never as good as Ch4 News or Sky News.

[30stone]

Originally posted by arista

The BBC is Bloated due to the massive public money they burrn
and their news is restricted
never as good as Ch4 News or Sky News.

Doesn't bother me i just watch it... i dont check to see what isnt on there like if its not on there then it doesn't borther me.

[arista]

Thats OK



And
Good on Sky
as they have the most News Channels
like English speaking France 24 or the English speaking PressTV
from Iran and London which has a George Galloway show
No restrictions there.

[Shaun]

I agree with arista about how bad BBC News is... particularly with the bias shown in the Gaza situation. C4News is actually pretty good.

[Scarlett.]

Originally posted by 30stone
Channel 4 will never be the same caliber as the bbc..

I think its the other way round, there is a lot better quality programmes on C4

[Shaun]

I disagree with that Chewy... a lot of C4 programmes are sensationalist documentaries (like the ones on at the moment about the world's most intelligent child / largest breasts... not to mention the Dispatches and Food Season ones too). Big Brother is tired. Hollyoaks is just terrible.

There is some good stuff though, such as Shameless and Peep Show

As for daytime TV however, C4 has it spot on. Countdown, DonD, Come Dine With Me, Paul O'Grady, Wogan's Perfect Recall, The Simpsons are all good TV.

But I think BBC has a lot more variety, and is generally more popular. Although I don't like shows such as Eastenders, there's good drama, children's TV and informative programming too.

To go off the top of my head: Heroes, The Apprentice, Spooks, Hustle, Survivors, The One Show, Masterchef, QI, Never Mind the Buzzcocks, Have I Got News For You, Question Time, Newsnight, University Challenge. Then BBC Three and BBC Four have good programmes too.

I think, though, that with a bit of creative and monetary injection, C4 could be on par.

[Scarlett.]

and out of that list of BBC programmes...I watch none