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<p>The government recognises that Channel 4 has consistently delivered on its remit
in the decades since being established, including supporting the UK’s independent
production sector.</p><p>Forty years on, this sector is now flourishing. Independent
production is increasingly less reliant on income from UK public service broadcasters,
and will continue to be in demand for the high-quality, differentiated, distinctively
British content it produces. In the 10 years between 2008 and 2018, the contribution
of PSB commissions to sector revenue fell from 64% to 42%, due in large part to the
growth of international revenue.</p><p>Potential reform of the publisher broadcaster
restriction could enable Channel 4 to achieve greater financial diversification that
will support its growth and long term sustainability, therefore increasing its ability
to invest in UK content and the creative industries.</p><p>We are consulting on this
so the government may take into account a broad range of evidence and views to shape
its policy-making. Both officials and Ministers have also met regularly with key stakeholders
from within the production sector, including PACT.</p><p>Whatever decision we make,
it will not compromise this Government’s commitment to the independent production
sector and wider creative economy. Our support for the UK film and TV industry has
helped it bounce back from the impact of the pandemic when it had to shut-down in
March 2020. For Q4 2020 the UK film and TV industry had the second highest production
spend for any quarter on record - at £1.19 billion.</p><p>Last year, the government
invested over £1 billion through the creative sector tax reliefs which support the
UK screen sectors. In High-End TV, the UK has seen a production boom worth over £4
billion since a dedicated tax relief was introduced in 2013.</p><p>More than 600 productions
have been supported by the government’s UK Film and TV Production Restart Scheme,
protecting over 55,000 jobs and securing £1.9 billion of production spend.</p><p>
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