Channel 4 privatisation to go ahead
bbc.co.uk
Channel 4 privatisation to go ahead
1–10 of 96 posts
Re: Channel 4 privatisation to go ahead
#2From a Hackernews point of view the most relevant part of this will be their video distribution platform 'All4' (previously '4 On Demand').
All4 is one of the buggiest platforms of all of the big channels. The others may be lacking in features but even Channel 5 has a pretty smooth user experience.
All4 consistently crashes, shows ads but then no programme, doesn't show programmes in its search results, doesn't keep track of where the viewer is in an episode, doesn't keep track of if a user has finished an episode, fails to load the next episode. The subscription service that is supposed to not show ads shows ads, the platform doesn't work on Linux, the app doesn't download things successfully for offline viewing consistently and a smorgasbord of other paper-cut issues that make it generally a drag to have to use.
Privatisation, despite other drawbacks, would likely mean that they could more handily compete in the on-demand space. They have an enviable catalogue, a niche within the British market and a tech-savvy audience that they are probably already losing to other streaming services that they need to overhaul if they want to win back.
Re: Channel 4 privatisation to go ahead
#3TIL Channel 4 was previously publicly owned.
Re: Channel 4 privatisation to go ahead
#4From a Hackernews point of view the most relevant part of this will be their video distribution platform 'All4' (previously '4 On Demand'). All4 is one of the buggiest platforms of all of the big channels. The others may be lacking in features but even Channel 5 has a pretty smooth user experience. All4 consistently crashes, shows ads but then no programme, doesn't show programmes in its search results, doesn't keep…
> The subscription service that is supposed to not show ads shows ads..
Absolutely correct and totally ridiculous, although they do make the distinction of calling these ads 'promotional messages'.
Re: Channel 4 privatisation to go ahead
#5This is vandalism. Channel 4 uses no government money and has a remit to show programming other channels cannot.
The only reason this is on the table is because they critised the current government.
Re: Channel 4 privatisation to go ahead
#6Its odd in a democracy in 2022 that a government should own a media/news organisation. If the argument that this is profitable is true, then it should be capable of carrying on its endeavours privately with no issue whatsoever.
Re: Channel 4 privatisation to go ahead
#7This is vandalism. Channel 4 uses no government money and has a remit to show programming other channels cannot. The only reason this is on the table is because they critised the current government.
Honestly, considering what the goverment is doing, I think there needs to be real questions asked about who are they trying to serve. It doesn't really seem like it's the British public.
Re: Channel 4 privatisation to go ahead
#8This is vandalism. Channel 4 uses no government money and has a remit to show programming other channels cannot. The only reason this is on the table is because they critised the current government.
> Channel 4 uses no government money
So, it's already private?
Re: Channel 4 privatisation to go ahead
#9This is vandalism. Channel 4 uses no government money and has a remit to show programming other channels cannot. The only reason this is on the table is because they critised the current government.
> Channel 4 uses no government money So, it's already private?
No, it's owned by the government but doesn't take any government funding.
Re: Channel 4 privatisation to go ahead
#10Its odd in a democracy in 2022 that a government should own a media/news organisation. If the argument that this is profitable is true, then it should be capable of carrying on its endeavours privately with no issue whatsoever.
Yay! Cos all privatised channels that show high brow or educational programming have maintained their standards of quality and don't just show endless shows about ufos and nazis