Channel 4 Boosts Programme Budget By £20 Million
Channel 4 has announced a massive boost of £20 million to its programming budget in a move that clears the way for more high-quality drama and entertainment series to be shown this year, rather than in 2005 as had originally been planned.
The increased investment raises the broadcaster’s forecast annual programme budget for 2004 to a record £469 million. The cash boost means viewers will now see programmes such as Teachers and Not Only But Always up to a year earlier than expected.
The extra cash also enables Channel 4 to expand its current affairs and public service broadcasting. Some of the £20 million will go towards strengthening the broadcaster’s coverage of November’s US presidential elections, with documentaries presented by Jon Snow and Peter Oborne examining America’s democratic model and its unique electoral system.
There will be also be a special run of Channel 4’s current affairs strand, Unreported World, examining the impact of US foreign policy around the world. The broadcaster’s flagship current affairs strand, Dispatches, will also see an early return this autumn.
Comedy offerings are also being boosted by Channel 4’s programming windfall, as the second series of cult comedy, Peep Show, is brought forward to complement planned programmes such as Peter Kay’s Max and Paddy, and hospital comedy, Green Wing (see Channel 4 Secures Mini For New Drama Sponsorship).
Commenting on the new funding, Channel 4’s director of television, Kevin Lygo, said: “The public service purpose of Channel 4 is to maximise investment in innovative programmes and original creative talent. In that respect this is proving to be a great year for Channel 4 with a lot of fresh programmes, like Shameless and Brat Camp, which have been both critically well-received and commercially very successful.”
The cash injection will see Channel 4 bolstering both its light entertainment and public service content. The move follows harsh criticism from Ofcom earlier this year that Britain’s terrestrial broadcasters are not doing enough to provide quality public service programming (see Ofcom Paints Bleak Picture Of Public Service Broadcasting).
Channel 4 has performed well recently with its share of viewing increasing in the face of stiff competition from multi-channel rivals. The broadcaster claims that its share of 16 to 34 year-old and ABC1 audiences is up by 10% and 7% respectively year on year, while advertising revenue has increased 5% year in the twelve months to date.
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