Entertainment

Channel 4 privatisation could put us out of business, say TV production firms

More than 40 small TV and film production companies behind shows such as Derry Girls and Say Yes to the Dress have come together to warn that the government’s proposed privatisation of Channel 4 could put them out of business.

The 44 companies, dotted across Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and Yorkshire, have taken out a full-page advertisement in Tuesday’s edition of the Daily Telegraph – apparently timed to hit readers during the Conservative party conference in Manchester.

The ad, placed in what is traditionally seen as the Tories’ house newspaper, argues that selling Channel 4 – which is state-owned but commercially funded through TV ad revenue and is not required to turn a profit – would be the antithesis of the government’s pledge to “level up” businesses and communities across the country.

“It would cost jobs, reduce investment, and place companies at risk in the nations and regions,” the ad states. “From production companies who should know.”

Firms that have co-signed the ad include Hat Trick, the maker of the hit comedy Derry Girls, and True North, the indie behind shows such as Say Yes to the Dress: Lancashire.

“A privatised Channel 4 would be a disaster for all small to medium-sized production companies,” said Jannine Waddell, the managing director of Waddell Media, the producer of series including Britain’s Most Expensive Houses.

“No matter what the government says, the programming remit would change and that would hurt all of us. Would a commercially focused owner really get behind something like the Paralympics? We are Channel 4’s biggest supplier in Northern Ireland, and the impact here would be massive.”

Last month the former culture secretary John Whittingdale, who led a 2016 exploration to privatise Channel 4 that was ultimately abandoned by the government, said any new owner would have to maintain the broadcaster’s commitments to regional output and commissioning shows from independent producers.

A report by Ampere Analysis found that over the past two years Channel 4 worked with more than 200 small production companies, more than any other broadcaster, with 140 of those relying on it for half or more of all their TV work. It argued that a new owner would make deep cuts to Channel 4’s programming to make it more profitable, which could put up to 60 small production companies at risk of going out of business.

“The view across the industry is that, in the drive to ‘level up’ Britain, a Channel 4 in public ownership is the best ally the government could have,” said Dermot Lavery, a co-founder of DoubleBand Films, maker of programmes including Britain’s Ancient Tracks.

He said the broadcaster “would help hundreds of new privately owned [production] companies to be seeded – the indies of the future – making sure the largesse in public service broadcasting can be spread fairly across the country. A privately owned Channel 4 would kill that.”

Arts

Abiodun Eulogises Alaba Lawson, Vows to Uphold Legacy

L-R: Children of the deceased, Babalola and Akinola Lawson; Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun; Evangelist Ebenezer Obey Fabiyi and another son, Dr Olaoluwa Lawson during the final burial service of the Iyalode of Yorubaland, Chief (Mrs) Alaba Lawson in Abeokuta, on Friday.

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, on Friday said that the late Iyalode of Yoruba land, Chief Mrs. Alaba Lawson left a legacy that would be a reference and an inspiration to generations yet unborn.
Abiodun stated this at the funeral and outing service held at the African Church, Cathedral of St. James, Idi-Ape, Ago-Oko, Abeokuta, even as he noted that the late educationist life and times are inspiring narrative of great accomplishments.
According to the governor, as the first female president of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), former Chairman, Board of Governing Council, Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta, Fellow and Council Member, Institute of Directors, Chairman Board of Trustees, Nigerian Quality Infrastructure Forum, among others, the deceased dedicated her life to serving the nation, Ogun State and the society at large.
He added that her accomplishments are extraordinary and challenging to replicate.
The governor said: “Chief Alaba Lawson was a woman of remarkable achievements, leaving indelible marks and lasting impact, not just in our dear State, but throughout the entire country. A great philanthropist who garnered numerous accolades throughout her life time and her contributions to the society were immense.
“The Lawson family of Abeokuta has lost a true gem, and the Association of Academics in Nigeria mourns the loss of a distinguished member with exceptional intelligence. Her eventful life will continue to inspire many especially the younger generation.”
He described the late Alaba Lawson as the cultural ambassador who held on to her root by promoting the cultural values and the Adire fabrics wherever she went, adding that as an advocate of women rights, she was fearless and tireless and was always ready to sacrifice for the benefit of the society.
Mrs. Lawson, the governor emphasized, was a loving mother to her children and those of others, saying she lived an impactful life, and was a strong supporter of the present administration, assuring that his administration would do the needful to sustain her legacy.
“We as government, we will do the needful in sustaining your legacy. Let me assure you that we will continue to ensure that we sustain the legacy of our own dear Iyalode Oluwaseun Alaba Lawson,” Prince Abiodun said.
In his sermon, the Primate, African Church, His Eminence Julius Olayinka Abbe, said the late Alaba Lawson lived an impactful life as she was kind and generous to the people, the church and the society.
Iyalode Lawson, according to the Primate, was a defender to the defenceless, a reliable and worthy mother who was not only interested in the welfare of her biological children, but to anyone who crossed her path during her life time.
Taking his text from the Book of Matthew 5 verse 8, the Cleric decried the attitude of some wealthy individuals who care less about the well-being of others, noting that late Alaba Lawson, apart from being a well known educationist, an industrialist with wide network of connections, was a beacon of hope.
He added that her death has created a big vaccum that would be difficult to fill.
He called on the wealthy and those in authority, to work towards alleviating the sufferings in the land brought about by the removal of subsidy on petroleum products, saying many people are struggling to survive due to the hardship.
The service had in attendance the former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and his wife, Chief (Mrs) Bola Obasanjo; former Governor of the state, Ibikunle Amosun his wife, Olufunso; the wife of the Ogun State Governor, Mrs Bamidele Abiodun, amongst others.

Entertainment

I Am A Superstar With Over 30 Mansions- Singer, Portable Brags

Headies Disqualify Portable Over ‘Reckless’ Statements

Controversial singer, Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, has bragged about his wealth, saying he is a low-key millionaire and owns about 30 mansions scattered across Lagos and Ogun states.

The ‘Zazu’ crooner also said he engages in a lot of philanthropic works because the more he gives to the poor, the richer he gets.

Portable, who spoke in the latest episode of the Afrobeats Podcast hosted by Adesope Olajide, said the music industry is very lucrative. He likened “music money” to money ritual.

He said, “I’m a superstar, man of the people. People come to me for aid and I have to give them because the more I give them, the more I blow.

“I have a lot of money. The amount of money I spray… I’m not normal but I get 30 mansions. I have houses in Abule-Egba, Ikeja, Sango-Otta, and Abeokuta. I just bought the houses down because of tomorrow. Nobody knows that I’m the owner of those houses.”

He said he is richer than most of his colleagues who he met in the industry, claiming that most of them flaunt “fake lifestyles” on social media

Entertainment

U.S state of Georgia General Assembly honours Davido as ”Outstanding Georgia Citizen”

Nigerian singer, Davido on Friday Dec 1 was honoured as an Outstanding Georgia Citizen, at the Georgia General Assembly.

Davido shared a video of the lawmakers giving him a standing ovation when it was announced that he was present.

‘’This morning I attended the U.S. State of Georgia General Assembly meeting with the Georgia House of Representatives and Georgia state senate to be recognized as an ‘Outstanding Georgia Citizen’ … God is good.”

The letter of Davido’s proclamation as “Outstanding Georgia Citizen” was signed by Brad Raffensperger, Secretary of State of the State of Georgia.

Davido is a citizen of the State of Georgia by birth. He was born to Nigerian parents in Atlanta, the state capital.