Would moving Channel 4 to Birmingham help build a creative economy outside of London?

The government is considering plans for Channel 4 which could shake up the UK’s creative economy outside of the nation’s capital. Nothing is off the table and ideas currently being discussed include privatisation and a move to Birmingham or Manchester.

The suggested move up north is reportedly not going down well with Channel 4’s London-based executive team with bosses suggesting they already do plenty of work outside of the capital city.

A spokesperson for the channel told journalists: “Channel 4 has recently expanded its bases in Manchester and Glasgow and makes a significant contribution to the creative economy right across the UK, commissioning over half of its original programming and spending around £150m annually with producers in the nations and regions, well in excess of Ofcom requirements.”

Channel 4 also claim that a move could not be justified by lower operating costs outside of London as the broadcaster owns outright it’s incredibly valuable office space in London’s Victoria and has significant funds in the bank.

But as a state-owned broadcaster, doesn’t Channel 4 have a responsibility (like the BBC) to create opportunities beyond its commitment to programming.

The BBC’s move to Salford near Manchester in recent years has brought massive regeneration to the area, creating new jobs which support new opportunities outside of the media including retail, hospitality, construction, etc. etc.

Could a Channel 4 move up to Birmingham do the same and contribute to the building of the much touted “northern powerhouse”?

A less London-centric media might also persuade other media companies including publishers (who let’s face it must be struggling with their London rents) to look towards Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, Sheffield and Newcastle to headquarter their businesses.

I’m not suggesting the media abandon London. It just makes sense for a “national” broadcaster to be seen to do more to support the nation it thrives in.