Channel 4 is a publicly owned but commercially funded broadcaster in the UK. It aims to provide innovative and diverse programming that offers an alternative to other mainstream channels. Some key aspects of Channel 4 include that it commissions over 300 independent production companies, reinvests all profits back into programming, and is committed to reflecting the diversity of British society through the voices and stories it shares. Channel 4's core values that guide its work are creativity, innovation, and diversity. Its primary target audience is young adults aged 18-30.

1. CHANNEL 4
INSTITUTION
Leah Douglas

2. ABOUT CHANNEL 4
■ Since 1982Channel 4 has been making television that matters, offering an alternative to the
mainstream on other channels and placing a premium on innovation, originality and diversity. Owned
by the public and funded entirely by commercial activity, it re-invests all its profits in generating new
creative opportunities for Britain's most talented producers and film makers.
■ Channel 4’s ambition is to remain true to their unique role in UK broadcasting. They are a commercial
broadcaster, with a funding structure and public service remit to provide diverse and innovative
programming and services. They are there to offer a benchmark of quality and innovation, providing
competition to commercial and public sector broadcasters alike. Channel 4 aims to set ambitions for
innovation in British media that others aspire to meet.
■ They seek out each year a wider range of production companies than any other broadcaster. They will
be drawn from across the UK. Channel 4 encourages new production and new media companies.
They aim to be the point of connection for UK independent talent across different creative industries.
■ The industry reflects the diversity of Britain; culturally and geographically.They reflect the energy of
our multicultural society, by representing the voices of a new generation of programme makers from
the ethnic minorities. They will reflect the complexity of Britain back to itself, in the range of
programmes and production companies commissioned from cities across the whole of the UK.

3. VALUES, CREATIVITY, INNOVATION
AND DIVERSITYValues
■ Channel 4 is a commercial broadcaster with a public service remit. Enshrined within this unique remit are three core
values - Creativity, Innovation, and Diversity, which help shape their programming and define the way they work. In
all their activities, these values, which keep us strong, are at the heart of what they produce.
Creativity
■ Channel 4 knows its viewers to be intelligent and insightful and they respect their views and judgements.
Therefore, they support creativity and excellence in all forms, whether it is the people who work at Channel 4, the
unique relationship they have with their independent producers, or in the programmes and services that the
institution provides.
Innovation
■ Channel 4's remit to innovate is at the heart of its commercial and creative success and we continue to aim to be
the leading broadcaster of innovation.They are committed to making genuinely original programmes, developing
new talent first and pioneering new ideas for television - both in the form and content of their programmes.
Diversity
■ Channel 4 believes in individual freedom and seeks to promote diversity of opinion and freedom of expression. We
support ideas and thinking that bring genuinely new perspectives and creativity. They seek to enlighten viewers
and challenge the unproven - not to convert them or lead them towards one particular way of thinking.

4. FACTS ABOUT CHANNEL 4
■ government-owned corporation that uses advertising revenue to create and
■ broadcast programmes for viewers rather than for profit
■ required by Communications Act 2003 to innovate, appeal to culturally
■ diverse society, educate and be distinctive
■ 6 channels (C4, E4, More4, FilmFour subscription channels)
■ most expensive advertising for programmes that attract 16-34 adults or
■ ABC1 adults
■ companies can also sponsor programmes
■ does not make its own programmes but commissions programmes from
■ over 300 independent companies
■ committed to 30% of production spend outside London
■ Channel 4 News committed to foreign coverage and multicultural journalism
■ Channel 4 News produced by ITN in London

5. DOCUMENTARIESON CHANNEL 4
■ It is the job of Channel Four to reflect the contemporary world to British television audiences, and one of the
most important ways they do this is through their substantial and multi-award winning documentary
output.They commission more than 200 hours of documentaries every year, ranging from major multi-part
series like 24 Hours In A & E to shorter series and single films.
Series
Rigs
They broadcast a significant number of major rig series, which are usually commissioned for 9pm in runs of eight
or more episodes – One Born Every Minute, Educating, 24 Hours In A & E.Traditionally these series were made
entirely on the rig, and were produced by a small number of specialist companies with creative expertise in this
technology.The big changes in the last two or three years are that an increasing number of programmes are
mixing rig and single camera material - Royal Marines, 24 Hours In Custody, and that new companies are
embracing the rig technology and taking it into different worlds or spaces. Neither First Dates orTheTribe are
made by companies with a tradition of rig expertise. If the idea is strong enough and appropriate for a rig or part-
rig, the team at Channel 4 will support a production company venturing into what is for them new territory.

6. DOCUMENTARIESON CHANNEL 4
9pm Short Series
For 9pm we also commission a wide range of shorter two to four part series. These include more classically
observed series made with privileged access to institutions – Bedlam (The South London and Maudsley Hospital
Trust) , MeetTheTaxman (HMRCTax Inspectorate) as well as immersive series in which filmmakers spend a long
period of time with a particular community – Skint,The Romanians Are Coming, Benefits Street.
8pm series
One notable development this year is that the documentary team of Channel 4 have started commissioning
more 8pm series on scale. The Hotel is stalwart in this slot, but now Posh Pawn, The Auction House and Supervet
are established in the schedule and the institution is keen to develop other ideas. These sometimes (but not
always) use a rig. More importantly, they always seek to offer audiences reliable narrative beats in a world that is
engaging and relatable for a broad audience.
10pm series
They also commission a number of two or three part series for 10 pm.These are quite likely to be targeted at
younger audiences, include edgier or more adult content (than our 9 pm output), and contain scenes that get
audiences talking or tweeting. Past series include MyTattoo Addiction, Kid Criminals, Up All Night and Sex Clinic.
There is also an opportunity for us to be a bit more experimental with form – An Immigrant’s Guide, and to grow
or commission longer running series like First Dates for 10pm.

7. CHANNEL 4 AUDIENCE

8. CHANNEL 4 AUDIENCE
■ The primary target audience for Channel 4 currently is young adults aged between 18-30
year olds which can be identified through the programs and characters which are shown on
the channel.
■ The uses and gratifications, theorised by Blumler and Katz, for the institution are escapism
and surveillance.Their channels can be used as escapism as it allows people to take a break
from everyday life and enjoy a transparent or social realist representation of reality in a
fantasy world. Surveillance is also significant as on many of their channels, such as Channel
4 and Channel 4 News, audiences are able to access news coverage on current events and,
in terms of Channel 4, view documentaries surrounding real life.
■ The primaryVAL which is likely targeted by Channel 4 is experiences due to characteristics
such as impulsive, new, risky and enthusiastic. All of these traits are portrayed in the
programs shown on Channel 4 due to them being aimed at a younger audience who
themselves are stereotypically risky and impulsive. Channel 4 viewers are younger and
more upmarket than other commercial broadcasters.