Advanced Television

Channel 4

Idris Elba eyes Channel 4 bid

Actor Idris Elba is reportedly in talks to take part in a bid for Channel 4. Elba is said to be discussing a joint bid with Marc Boyan, a media entrepreneur who is the founder of marketing company Miroma Group, according to a report in The Sunday Times. The UK government announced plans to privatise […]

June 27, 2022By Nik Roseveare

Channel 4 names Perkins Head of Comedy

Channel 4 has appointed Charlie Perkins as Head of Comedy. She will report directly into Chief Content Officer Ian Katz and will manage a team comprising newly promoted Commissioning Editor Laura Riseam and Commissioning Executive Joe Hullait. Perkins will also oversee the appointment of a new Senior Commissioning Editor. Katz said: “Channel 4 comedy has […]

June 27, 2022

Channel 4 orders Spacey doc

Channel 4 has commissioned a series from Roast Beef Productions about Oscar-winning actor Kevin Spacey. Spacey Unmasked (w/t) will take a forensic look at one of the most powerful and respected actors in the world. From his childhood to his emergent success on Broadway and his meteoric rise to stardom, through to his spectacular fall […]

June 27, 2022

Channel 4 invests in Freedom Scripted

Channel 4’s Indie Growth Fund has invested in the Glasgow-based independent production company Freedom Scripted. Founded in 2018 by former BBC, STV and World Productions development producer Mike Ellen, Freedom Scripted focuses on high end contemporary drama and has a range of projects currently in development working with some of the most exciting and diverse […]

June 22, 2022

Ofcom: C4 in subtitle licence breach

An investigation by broadcast regulator Ofcom has found that public service broadcaster Channel 4 breached the conditions of its broadcast licence following an extended outage of its subtitling, signing and audio description services. These ‘access services’ are relied on by millions of people to watch and listen to television, including those who are deaf, have […]

June 20, 2022By Colin Mann

Katz: “Profit-driven C4 could leave hole in Britain”

Channel 4 Chief Creative Officer Ian Katz, speaking at the Wales Screen Summit, declared out-of-London producers “the most important voices in the privatisation debate” as he reminded the industry that the Government White Paper makes no commitment to the nations and regions under a private owner. In an interview following his keynote speech, Katz said there remains a “long legislative […]

June 16, 2022

Welsh language opera for Channel 4

Channel 4 and S4C have co-commissioned Cardiff based production company Afanti Media, to co-produce with OPRA Cymru the first ever musical adaptation in the Welsh language, it was announced at Wales Screen Summit by Ian Katz, Chief Content Officer, Channel 4. S4C and Channel 4 will be creating a film production of Un Nos Ola […]

June 16, 2022

Afanti makes The Perfect Pitch with Channel 4

Afanti Media’s The Perfect Pitch has been greenlit for a second series of the 15x 30-minute episodes for Channel 4 daytime it was announced at Wales Screen Summit. The warm and funny series, which received support from the Welsh Government via Creative Wales, follows a revolving cast of British families as they explore Britain in […]

June 16, 2022

VAL appoints Bayles as Head of Comedy

Various Artists Limited (VAL), the production company behind critically acclaimed work including I May Destroy You, Sally4Ever and Dead Pixels has appointed Channel 4’s Commissioning Editor, Jack Bayles as Head of Comedy. The London based production company was founded in 2017 by Sam Bain and Jesse Armstrong, together with producers and ex Channel 4 Commissioners, […]

June 15, 2022

4Music becomes E4 Extra

Channel 4 is launching a new youth-facing sibling channel to E4 called E4 Extra, which will occupy the EPG slot currently held by 4Music (Freeview 31, Virgin 337, Sky 139, Freesat 181 and YouView 31). From June 29th, E4 Extra will focus on comedy and entertainment and be home to scripted and unscripted acquisitions like […]

June 14, 2022