Having to cut dramas such as Endgame and Red Riding is one of the 'unpleasant choices' that may arise from the recession, a Channel 4 boss has said. Luke Johnson, the channel's chairman, said that if the downturn in advertising revenue continues they may have to make fewer high end dramas. He said shows like Dispatches would be the last to be hit, but critically acclaimed dramas like Endgame and Red Riding, starring Sean Bean (pictured), could come under threat. Speaking at a meeting of the government's Culture, Media and Sport Committee to discuss a possible partnership between Channel 4 and the BBC, it was put to the witnesses that Channel 4 did not pay stars £6 million a year like the BBC. But Johnson said that talent was 'feeling the pinch'. He said: "The figure you mentioned is a high water mark. There are some positives coming out of this downturn." Asked if stars were threatening to walk, he said: "In some cases, Countdown for example. And we survived." Get exclusive access to your favourite stars. Subscribe to TV Times magazine
