It has emerged that the UK government intends to proceed with the privatisation of publicly-owned commercial PSB Channel 4, having suggested in May 2021 that such a move was “on the table”. The news comes as Sir Ian Cheshire has been named as incoming Chair of the broadcaster. With the UK parliament in recess for […]
The UK government is pressing ahead with privatising Channel 4, though it is by no means guaranteed success as opposition is widespread, not least on its own benches. The case for, as put forward by the DCMS, is that the broadcaster needs to be private to compete better with Netflix, Prime etc. For example, a […]
UK’s Channel 4 has invested in medical cannabis company Cannaray through its VC unit, which invests via ad inventory. C4 was the lead investor in a funding round that raised £10m (€12m) for the UK-based cannabis group. Vinay Solanki, head of Channel 4 Ventures, said he wanted to back “bold and disruptive categories”, adding that […]
The journalist and broadcaster, Jon Snow, is to be honoured later this week at the 48th annual Broadcasting Press Guild Awards, chosen by journalists who write about television, streaming and audio, sponsored by YouTube. On March 25th, he will receive the Harvey Lee Award for Outstanding Contribution to Broadcasting at the awards lunch at The […]
Channel 4 and Motion Content Group have launched a multi-million pound fund to boost commissions from small and medium sized ethnically diverse-led production companies. The Channel 4 and Motion Content Group Diverse Indies Fund will be editorially overseen by Channel 4 Senior Commissioning Editor Vivienne Molokwu (picturd). For Motion Content Group (part of GroupM, WPP’s […]
Channel 4 has acquired South African detective drama The Cane Field Killings, starring Kim Engelbrecht and Iain Glen. The eight-episode series, which was praised by critics upon its release in South Africa last year, will launch on Channel 4 on April 10th. All episodes become available on All 4 on the same day. The Cane […]
Channel 4’s proportion of commissions and spend in the Nations and Regions hit an all-time record high last year. Two thirds of all original programming commissioned for the main channel was produced in the Nations and Regions – nearly double the broadcaster’s 35 per cent quota set by Ofcom. Channel 4’s Chief Content Officer, Ian […]
Channel 4 will open up the world of television to young people in a new initiative aimed at encouraging them to pursue a career in the creative industry. 4Schools will reach out directly to schools in a bid to encourage students, particularly those from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds, by showcasing the range of roles in the […]
ITV has announced that Laura Franses has been appointed into the important new role of Director of Content Partnerships, reporting to Media and Entertainment Content Director Rosemary Newell, and Managing Director of Streaming Rufus Radcliffe. Franse will lead the strategy of identifying and securing strategic content partnerships for ITVX, to support ITV’s ambitions to enhance […]
Channel 4 and Talkback are to collaborate on two brand new entertainment shows, the four-part You Won’t Believe This (w/t) and two-parter Let’s Make a Love Scene, both fronted by comedian Ellie Taylor. Ellie Taylor said “I jumped at the chance of getting involved in both these shows and I’m super excited to be working […]