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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Business
Harry Taylor

FOUND: Channel 4 the 40 year countdown to privatisation - You Need To See This

Countdown’s Cathy Hytner, Richard Whiteley and Carol Vorderman.
Countdown’s Cathy Hytner (l), Richard Whiteley and Carol Vorderman. Whiteley was the first presenter to appear on Channel 4 when it launched in 1982. Photograph: Channel 4

The government is expected to announce that, after months of wrangling, it will privatise Channel 4, four decades after it aired its first programme; a staple for the broadcaster – Countdown.

Here’s the station’s journey from launch by Margaret Thatcher’s Conservative government to Monday’s announcement about its privatisation.

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