Successful comedies on Channel 4 like 'Catastrophe','Toast of London' and 'Fresh Meat' would all be at risk if Channel 4 were to be privatised, warns the network boss, explaining that such creative risk being something that wouldn't be welcomed in a more commercially-focused era.
David Abraham, speaking at a Broadcasting Press Guild lunch two days ago, warned that, if the government decided to privatise the organisation, any prospective buyer would be attracted by the prospect of taking production in-house, and concentrating on more lucrative offerings, thereby putting the in-depth current affairs for which Channel 4 is celebrated, plus heavyweight dramas like 'Indian Summers' at high risk.
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'Catastrophe' is one of the comedies under risk, according to Channel 4 boss David Abraham
He used the examples of Channel 5 and ITV to show how commercial stations have reduced their Ofcom remit for certain programming. He said: “Would we do as much news and current affairs in primetime? No, we would find ways of shaving that. Promises can be made by a buyer in the short term. What you would do is try and minimise the number of 'Dispatches' drastically, [then] try and see what you could do to cut the news hour down or shunt it out of that [primetime] slot.”
The Channel 4 boss explained that there had only been one conversation with the government thus far, with the same department currently looking at what changes the BBC needs to make ahead of Charter renewal next year. David Abraham made a case for the status quo to remain, although he rejected any suggestions of a management buyout.
His words come as Channel 4 release details of the highlights of their 2016 production slate, including what promises to be a morally ambiguous drama, with the mind of a teenage psychopath being explored in a new four-part psychological thriller on Channel 4, as part of its brand new slate for 2016.
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'Born to Kill' - a teenage psychopath falls in love for the first time
'Born to Kill' promises to be an ambitious, morally ambitious drama, a "haunting exploration of a teenage boy trying to suppress psychopathic desires while falling in love for the first time". In a twist to the customary secret killer genre, his family and community are all too well aware of his disorder, and watch him develop, not sure what he's capable of.
This project is the first commission for female writing duo Tracey Malone ('Silent Witness') and first time TV writer Kate Ashfield. Producers are World Productions, who previously delivered the stunning 'Line of Duty' for BBC Two. The cast is yet to be announced, with filming starting early next year.
Other titles announced this week include the a new project from the makers of 'SAS: Who Dares Wins', this one looking at selection for the Secret Intelligence Service. As word events bring increased recruitment and focus on their work, the series will reveal the sometimes unlikely qualities required by personnel operating in this secret world. Another series of 'SAS: Who Dares Wins' is also on the cards, this time taking tough-ty candidates through the jungle phase of selection, a definite upgrade on the tasks seen in the first series.
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'SAS: Who Dares Wins' will return, as well as a look inside the Secret Intelligence Service
'Hunted' will also return, but this time with a big prize on offer for the contestant most successful at staying undetected for 28 days. No small thing when it's former police, intelligence and army personnel on your tail, but perhaps the dangling carrot of £100,000 will help focus the mind.
Following on the success of their series going behind the scenes of Liberty department store two years ago, Channel 4 are heading next year to Marks and Spencer. The four-parter will go into every aspect of the wares from food to fashion, as well as tell the story of the retail institution from Michael Mark's market penny stall to global giant.
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Guy Martin will be a busy man for Channel 4 next week with three separate projects
Channel 4 continue to put their money behind speed enthusiast Guy Martin, as he takes on a series of risky challenges. In 'Wall of Death', he takes on a vertical wall on a motorcycle - why not? - while 'Speed with Guy Martin' finds him taking on further world records. Just in case he's not busy enough, he's also going to be heading to China for some more high-jinks, including travelling around on a bicycle and taking on the 'Dessert of Death'.
12 TV Dramas For Autumn 2015
War and Peace (BBC One)(01 of12)
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With veteran screenwriter Andrew Davies once again on adaptation duties, and director Tom Harper (Peaky Blinders, Woman in Black) at the helm of Leo Tolstoy's literary masterpiece, this was never going to be small. And with 'Downton's Lily James and ever-excellent James Norton on screen, there is something for everyone. Told over six lavish episodes, Andrew Davies is promising us "a thrilling, funny and heartbreaking story of love, war and family life".
The Affair (Sky Atlantic)(02 of12)
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The engrossing, Golden Globe award-winning first series told us two things... that we all should holiday in Montauk, Long Island, New York State, it's stunning and... we can't trust a word any of these beautiful, brittle characters utter. We catch up with Ruth Wilson and Dominic West, just as it appears that their romantic bliss - hard-earnt at the expense of two marriages - might be interrupted by the small matter of a murder charge...
River (BBC One)(03 of12)
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Sweden's finest Stellan Skarsgard brings his big-screen charisma to this police drama. Yes, he's a troubled, lonely soul who understands his victims more than his colleagues, but... his former partner Jackie Stevenson is beside him, and yet she's not. (I'm not spoiling this!) Jackie's played by Spooks' Nicola Walker, and the script's from Emmy Award-winner Abi Morgan. Doom, gloom and introspection on London's streets.
Dark Angel (ITV)(04 of12)
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She may be donning her customary bonnet for another period drama, but Downton's Joanne Froggatt will be revealing her dark side in this adaptation of real-life tale of Victorian poisoner Mary Ann Cotton, a lady determined to pursue a better life, whose methods leave no visible scars, and anyway... how could a woman be capable of such crimes?
Fargo (Channel 4)(05 of12)
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Despite the plaudits for the first series, 'Fargo's makers have been brave and gone back in time for Series 2, setting events in 1979. There's a brand new cast too. Kirsten Dunst plays Peggy Blomquist, a small town beautician with big dreams. Breaking Bad's Jesse Plemons is her bemused husband, who just happens to a butcher's assistant. Oh dear... Hopefully, this show will enjoy the plaudits of 'Better Call Saul' for its sequel embitions, and not the brickbats of 'True Detective'... watch this space.
Unforgotten (ITV)(06 of12)
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More crime, more Nicola Walker, this time on ITV, with 'Unforgotten', a six-parter focusing on a 'cold' murder case of four decades ago, brought back to light when the bones of a young man are found in the remnants of a demolished house. What did happen in 1976, and what does it say about our changing social preoccupations? Sanjeev Bhaskar, Trevor Eve and Tom Courtenay promise strong performances across the board.
Luther (BBC One)(07 of12)
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He's back! Just when we thought we'd lost Idris Elba for good - either to DJ duties or Hollywood blockbusters, depending on the day - here he is, going for a fourth spin as DCI John Luther, this time a very troubled man, haunted by previous events and hell-bent on retribution. Where's Alice (Ruth Wilson) when he needs her?
Homeland (Channel 4)(08 of12)
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After a wayward third season, 'Homeland' found its firm footing once again last season, and long may it last. Series 5 picks up two years after Carrie's ill-fated tenure as Islamabad bureau chief for the CIA. Now we find her hanging out in Berlin, probably earning a fortune looking after the security of a German philanthropist, but struggling with guilt and disillusionment. Sounds like she's ripe for one of THOSE calls from Saul...
The Returned (Channel 4)(09 of12)
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French supernatural thriller returns, picking up six months after the deceased (Les Revenants of the title) disappeared into the mounts, taking along a few of the town's less spooky inhabitants. While this thriller finds an easy footing in the supernatural slots of the schedule, make no mistake, it continues to be a drama of grief, recovery and the dilemma of moving on...
Maigret (ITV)(10 of12)
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The top reason for this one making our pick... Rowan Atkinson. The shy comedic actor has proved his hit-making chops over and over again, yet we see surprisingly little of him on our screens. So this was a cunning scoop by ITV bosses, to recruit him as French fictional detective Jules Maigret in two two-hour specials. The character first appeared in print in 1931, and Georges Simenon produced 75 novels starring him in total, so, cross fingers, if all goes well...
The Last Panthers (Sky Atlantic)(11 of12)
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Brand new, original drama starring Samantha Morton, Tahar Rahim and John Hurt, opening with a daring diamond heist before quickly delving into the dark heart of Europe where a shadowy alliance of gangsters and ‘banksters’ now rule. It originated from an idea from celebrated French journalist Jerome Pierrat and the screenplay is written by award winning writer and co-creator Jack Thorne (whose credits include 'Skins' and 'This Is England').
Downton Abbey (ITV)(12 of12)
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Err... did we mention this will be the sixth and final series of Julian Fellowes' world-conquering drama of the classes? Everyone involved is promising things will go out with a bang, romantically speaking, but without some sort of soul-destroying armageddon. As long as Mr Carson and Mrs Hughes finally tie the knot, we'll all be okay...