Channel 4 Programme Budget Over £500 Million In 2006
Channel 4 will increase its core programme budget from £490 million to over £500 million in 2006, maintaining and improving the quality of its output throughout the year.
In the broadcaster’s Statement of Programme Policy for 2006, Kevin Lygo, director of TV claimed that Channel 4 would strengthen its news and current affairs output, as well as offering a substantial increase in the amount of UK originated drama.
Lygo also highlighted that, for the first time, Channel 4 will be complemented for the entire year by free-to-air digital channels E4 and More4, with the channels having a combined programming budget of £100 million.
During 2006, the broadcaster will aim to achieve an 11% share across its portfolio of channels, focusing on its key demographics of 16-34 year old and ABC1 adults.
Channel 4 will increase its education spend to £90 million, while the drama budget will enjoy a rise of £8.5 million in 2006, totaling £35 million.
The broadcaster will concentrate on three key themes across its schedule in 2006, looking at challenging and controversial contemporary subject matter; talent and authorship and increases in investment and public service delivery.
New media investment is planned to increase by £5 million to £21 million, with an increased focus on public service initiatives. The broadcaster will actively explore the potential for video-on-demand as well as distributing Channel 4 programmes across new platforms in 2006, providing a £1 million injection of online support for Channel 4 News and Dispatches.
Channel 4 recently launched its first online TV preview, following in the footsteps of the BBC in delivering content direct to users via the internet (see Online Premiere Hints At Channel 4’s VOD Future).
Cross-platform delivery was highlighted by Duncan in his keynote speech to the convention, with the broadcast boss pledging to “stay ahead of the curve and stretch the creative potential of online and mobile platforms,” revealing that £12 million had already been earmarked for investment invest in tailor-made content to support the new media sector (see Duncan Asserts Importance Of PSB For Channel 4).
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