Channel 4 To Launch Freeview Quiz Channel
Channel 4 is preparing to launch a fifth channel on the Freeview platform before the end of the year, reports have suggested, with the broadcaster believed to be planning an interactive quiz channel, to be run by its commercial arm, 4 Ventures.
The move would follow the launch of More 4 later this year, according to Broadcast, and would see the new channel operate in a similar way to Sky’s Sky Quiz Live, an interactive offering which invites viewers to play along with on-screen games through a premium rate phone number.
Channel 4’s head of corporate development, Michael Hodgson, is believed to be masterminding the new channel, which will operate from its own London-based studios, run by Ostrich Media, a newly created division of 4 Ventures.
The company has already placed advertisements for staff, inviting applicants to become part of the “most dynamic, positive, talked-about and successful Call TV operation in the UK.”
Ostrich hopes to have new staff in place by August, with a launch following just months after.
Channel 4 were unavailable for comment on the new channel, which was first rumoured to be in the planning stages earlier this year.
The broadcaster had been expected to pitch for Crown Castle’s remaining airspace with the proposition (see ITV To Face Channel 4 Over Empty Freeview Slot), although it has since transpired that a Freeview launch for E4 was higher on Channel 4’s agenda (see E4 Set For Freeview Launch Next Month).
However, the broadcaster should receive more capacity on the Freeview platform in September as, following its withdrawal of E4 from Top Up TV, the pay-TV operator is required to return its rented broadcast capacity to Channel 4.
Meanwhile, More 4, Channel 4’s adult-focused news and documentary channel, looks set to launch in October, offering highbrow content to Sky, Freeview and cable customers in a “more accessible and down to earth” format than rival BBC4 (see Channel 4 Sets Autumn Date For More4 Launch).
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