Changing the Channel
European markets RTL occupies the number one commercial broadcaster slot, not the number three slot. Five was given gifted capacity for 2 to 3 channels on digital terrestrial but decided to lease out its spare capacity rather than use it. I then had to pay again to gain capacity for its two spin-off channels FIVE USA and FIVER.
Channel 4 Profile – Channel Four Channel 4 was founded 27 years ago but it is now under pressure due to the digital
revolu3on and the severe economic downturn.
Film4, its film arm, won 8 Oscars and numerous BAFTAs in 2009 for Slumdog
Millionaire, a rag to riches tale set in present day Mumbai, India and directed by
Danny Boyle. In 2008 Channel 4 won more BAFTA and Royal Television Society
programme awards than any other channel, more Interna3onal Emmys than all other
UK broadcasters put together, and was voted Channel of the Year at the Broadcast Awards.
Channel 4 states that it contributes to democra3c life through high-quality news
and current affairs programmes like Channel 4 News and Dispatches. Channel 4 News has won accolades for its hour long format, strong interna3onal perspec3ve (40% of the content) and commitment to in-depth journalism. Dispatches and Unreported
World have highlighted issues from countries as diverse as Somalia, Sudan, Thailand, Nigeria, Russia and Mexico. The Big Food Fight looks at social issues like diet and
animal husbandry. Topics covered include the dangers of intensively farmed chicken and the challenge of se5ng up your own chicken farm. Their Disarming Britain
seasons looked into young people’s involvement in gun and knife crime, the effect of this disturbing trend on offenders, vic3ms and society at large.
Channel 4 partners with more independent companies than any other UK broad-
caster. Its digital channels include wholly-owned channels E4, More4 and Film4, and
joint venture music channels with Bauer Media (under the Box Music name) and are available free-to-air on all digital pla2orms while E4 was launched as a basic-3er
subscrip3on service, and was taken free-to-air in May 2005. More4 launched as a
free-to-air service in October 2005. Film4 was relaunched as a free-to-air channel in
July 2006; previously, FilmFour was a suite of premium subscrip3on channels. In July
2007 Channel 4 acquired a 50% stake in the Box TV music channels.
Channel Four’s outgoing chairman Luke Johnson is keen to stress that Channel 4 has significant cash reserves and no debt. The 2008 annual accounts show Cash assets at £205 million and no debts. Channel Four Group made a loss of £0.5 million in 2008 on a turnover of £906 million but the core Channel made a loss of £24 million. Johnson also believes that the BBC faces true competitive tension from Channel 4 which makes it more creative and efficient. Channel 4’s portfolio of channels have a relatively upmarket and young audience compared with ITV and FIVE and are often used as a complement to these
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