Channel 4 is to be privatised by the Tory authorities in a transfer set to spark livid backlash.
Ministers are anticipated to pursue a sale of the channel to non-public homeowners, a authorities supply confirmed.
It might be the channel's largest shake-up because it was based in 1982.
Sir David Attenborough is amongst those that oppose the sale, in keeping with the Mirror.
He supported a letter that urged ministers to 'cease short-sighted political and monetary assaults' on public service broadcasters.
It got here simply hours earlier than the channel turned topic to a Authorities assessment.
That assessment warned "that is 2021, not 1982 - and the broadcasting panorama has modified past recognition. Elevated world competitors and altering viewers habits pose challenges to linear TV broadcasters, together with Channel 4 ".
The information was confirmed to employees in an e-mail by chief govt Alex Mahon.
He stated the channel's "imaginative and prescient" for the subsequent 40 years had been "rooted in continued public possession", however "in the end the possession of C4 is for Authorities to suggest and Parliament to resolve."
Channel 4 is publicly owned and non-profit however receives no taxpayer money, as a substitute being funded fully by means of its business exercise.
But Tradition Secretary Nadine Dorries, who is ready to push by means of the sale, tweeted: "Channel 4 rightly holds a cherished place in British life and I would like that to stay the case.
"I've come to the conclusion that authorities possession is holding Channel 4 again from competing in opposition to streaming giants like Netflix and Amazon.
"A change of possession will give Channel 4 the instruments and freedom to flourish and thrive as a public service broadcaster lengthy into the long run.
"I'll set out the long run plan for Channel 4 in a White Paper in the end.
"I'll search to reinvest the proceeds of the sale into levelling up the artistic sector, placing cash into impartial manufacturing and artistic expertise in precedence components of the nation - delivering a artistic dividend for all."
When the privatisation was floated final 12 months, Labour insiders accused the Tory authorities of a "tradition struggle" in opposition to the channel after considered one of its senior figures branded Boris Johnson a "identified liar".
A spokesperson for Channel 4 stated it was "upset" with the choice however would "proceed to have interaction" with the Authorities on the method to "be sure that Channel 4 continues to play its distinctive half in Britain's artistic ecology and nationwide life".
The assertion stated: "With over 60,000 submissions to the Authorities's public session, it's disappointing that in the present day's announcement has been made with out formally recognising the numerous public curiosity considerations which have been raised.
"Channel 4 has engaged in good religion with the Authorities all through the session course of, demonstrating the way it can proceed to fee much-loved programmes from the impartial sector throughout the UK that symbolize and rejoice each side of British life in addition to improve its contribution to society, whereas sustaining possession by the general public.
"Just lately, Channel 4 offered DCMS with an actual different to privatisation that will safeguard its future monetary stability, permitting it to do considerably extra for the British public, the artistic industries and the financial system, significantly outdoors London.
"That is significantly essential on condition that the organisation is barely two years into a big dedication to drive up its impression within the UK's Nations and Areas.
"Channel 4 stays legally dedicated to its distinctive public-service remit.
"The main focus for the organisation shall be on how we are able to guarantee we ship the remit to each our viewers and the British artistic financial system throughout the entire of the UK.
"The proposal to privatise Channel 4 would require a prolonged legislative course of and political debate. We'll after all proceed to have interaction with DCMS, Authorities and Parliament, and do all the things we are able to to make sure that Channel 4 continues to play its distinctive half in Britain's artistic ecology and nationwide life."
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