Channel 4 Plans Online Documentary Channel
Channel 4 has confirmed that it is to launch a documentaries and factual entertainment channel as an online-only offering early next year, intended to boost the broadcaster’s public service output and meet Government requirements.
The move will expand upon the broadcaster’s existing Channel 4 Broadband activities, which enable subscribers to access high-quality programme content via their high-speed connections.
The new service has yet to be named, although a spokeswoman for 4 Ventures, Channel 4’s commercial arm, confirmed to NewsLine that the channel would become a reality early next year. Amongst the content scheduled to be screened is original material, as well as archive footage from documentary shows such as Dispatches.
Channel 4 has outlined a plan for increased focus on its public service output in recent months, boosting its investment in flagship peak-time politics and current affairs show, Dispatches and calling on Ofcom to secure its finances, and ability to provide PSB content, ahead of digital switchover (see Channel 4 Outlines Public Funding Proposals To Ofcom).
The broadcaster’s seven-figure financial boost to Dispatches will more than double the number of programmes in Channel 4’s 2005 schedule, increasing its run from 12 programmes a year to 28. The funding increase also sees the return of 30 Minutes next year, as well as an extended run for acclaimed international current affairs strand, Unreported World (see Channel 4 Boosts PSB Output With Dispatches Investment).
Details of the new online service have yet to be finalised and it is not yet known whether the service will be free to view, or whether users will be charged a subscription fee.
Channel 4’s plans follow a damning report from Ofcom on the state of the nation’s PSB broadcasters. According to the broadcasting watchdog the public service requirements of the nation’s broadcasters are currently not being met, requiring an urgent focus from all parties to help remedy the situation (see Ofcom Paints Bleak Picture Of Public Service Broadcasting).
Channel Four: 020 7396 4444 www.channel4.comRecent Television Stories from NewsLine Advertisers Alienated Over Plans For Junk Food Ban Freeview Penetration Set To Equal Sky Next Year Channel 4 Bags Toyota For Teachers Sponsorship
Subscribers can access ten years of media news and analysis in the Archive