Channel 4
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Template:Alternateuses Template:Infobox TV channel Channel 4 is a public service television broadcaster in the United Kingdom (see British television). It was created by an Act of Parliament and started broadcasting on November 2, 1982. Like the nation's long established public service broadcaster, the BBC, it has gifted broadcasting frequencies, but it does not receive funding from the Television Licence income. All programming is financed through its commercial activities, which includes advertising.
It is a publicly owned corporation whose board is appointed by OFCOM, in agreement with the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport. Like the BBC it has a public service remit. It also has an obligation to provide schools programming.
Channel 4 nominally broadcasts only in England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. In Wales, its equivalent is S4C, which broadcasts a mix of Channel 4 programming along with Welsh language programmes. However, Channel 4 is also received in border areas of Wales, and now broadcasts throughout the principality on Freeview, the digital terrestrial TV service. While Channel 4, like UTV, is not "officially" available in the Republic of Ireland, it is broadcast on Cable/MMDS operators Chorus and NTL. So far the channel transmits encrypted on Sky Digital and cannot be viewed outside the UK.
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History
IBA Control: 1982–1990
Before Channel 4, Britain had three terrestrial television channels: BBC1, BBC2 and ITV. The 1980 Broadcasting Act began the process of adding a fourth, and Channel 4 was formally created by an Act of Parliament in 1982. After some weeks of test broadcasts it began scheduled transmissions on November 2 1982. Image:C4logo82-96.jpg From the start, the channel set out to provide an alternative to the existing channels. In doing so it sometimes, in the eyes of its critics (including the public decency campaigner Mary Whitehouse), overstepped the boundaries of acceptability, but it has arguably led to a liberalisation of the UK television industry. Programming such as the "red triangle" series, The Tube, and Network 7 often straddled the boundary between being pioneering and being beyond the pale.
Channel 4 was one of the first "publishing only" television broadcasters in the world. All of its programming is produced by other companies; it exists only to fund, broadcast and distribute it. It was also the first broadcaster in the world to put its name on the introduction or credits of programmes it did not produce, a practice that is now widespread. For example, at the end of a programme, the independent producer's logo appears, with the words 'a [name of company] production for Channel Four' and 'Channel Four Television Corporation (c) [year of production]', in a copyright manner that is similar to the major Hollywood studios owning Television programs in which they did not produce. Thus although it does not produce programmes, many are seen to be belonging to it.
Initially, the station was managed by the Independent Broadcasting Authority through subscription from the ITV franchise holders. In return, advertising on the channel (and advertising revenue) was handled by the ITV regions. This both removed the need for Channel 4 to establish its own relationships with advertisers, and kept it from competing too closely with ITV.
While the channel greatly pleased many minority groups, it never found a wide mainstream audience.
Channel 4 also funded independent films during this period, in addition to made-for-TV material.
Independence: 1990–Today
Image:C4logo96-99.png Image:Ch4logo.gif The 1990 Broadcasting Act [1] altered the organisation of Channel 4, transforming it into a public corporation with a board partly appointed by the new Independent Television Commission. While its original remit was preserved, the channel now had to manage its own advertising (a potential disaster for a public service broadcaster), with a 'safety net' guaranteed minimum income should the revenue fall too low (which it so far has not). This safety net was funded by large insurance payments which the company had to make to the ITV companies. These premiums were phased out by the government in 1998.
Its new independence helped bring in a rash of programming changes. Instead of aiming for the fringes of society, it began to focus on the edges of the mainstream, and the centre of the mass market itself. It began to show many US programmes in peak viewing time, previously a rarity on UK terrestrial television. It premiered such shows as Friends and ER.
It also started broadcasting a lot of reality formats (including Big Brother), and sports like cricket and horse racing. This new direction caused its ratings (and revenues) to skyrocket. However, the Channel 4 contract to broadcast test match cricket ceased with the end of the Summer 2005 Ashes series.
In addition, it launched a number of subscription channels. These included a number of FilmFour channels, focusing on independent and non-English language films; attheraces, a horse racing channel; and E4, primarily an entertainment channel. Some of the FilmFour channels were discontinued due to a lack of interest.
In 2002, Channel 4's film financing division (FilmFour) was closed, due to massive losses. It had however had various successes, most notably Four Weddings and a Funeral and Trainspotting.
Partially in reaction to its new populist direction, the Communications Act of 2003 directed the channel to demonstrate innovation, experimentation and creativity, appeal to the tastes and interests of a culturally diverse society and to include programmes of an educational nature which exhibit a distinctive character.
In 2005, Channel 4 made E4 'free to air' on the Freeview platform, and now has launched a new 'free to air' terrestrial channel on the same platform (More4). Channel 4 also may begin a new radio service based on Oneword.
Management
Channel 4 is run by a chief executive, whose role is similar to that of the Director-General of the BBC. The chief executive is appointed by the chairman, which is a part-time position appointed by Ofcom.
Chairmen
- Edmund Dell (1982–1987)
- Richard Attenborough (1987–1992)
- Michael Bishop (1993–1997)
- Vanni Treves (Jan 1998–Dec 2003)
- Luke Johnson (Jan 2004–)
Chief executives
- Jeremy Isaacs (1981–1987)
- Michael Grade (1988–1997)
- Michael Jackson (1997–2001)
- Mark Thompson (Mar 2002–June 2004)
- Andy Duncan (July 19, 2004–)
Andy Duncan was appointed on July 1, 2004. He was previously the Director of Marketing, Communications and Audiences at the BBC.
Other channels
FilmFour
Channel 4 has had a long record of success in funding the production of films through Channel Four Films, later renamed FilmFour in 1998 to coincide with the launch of its digital channels. Among its biggest successes are The Madness of King George, The Crying Game, and Four Weddings and a Funeral. However, this dedicated film-making wing was scaled back in 2002 as a cost-cutting measure in the face of substantial losses.
Channel 4 launched a subscription film channel, FilmFour, in November 1998. It is available on digital satellite television and digital cable. Companion services, such as FilmFour+1, FilmFour World and FilmFour Extreme were also available on some digital services. In 2003 Extreme and World were discontinued, and replaced with FilmFour Weekly. FilmFour Weekly will close in July 2006, when the main FilmFour channel goes free-to-view and becomes available on Freeview.
When Channel 4 had the rights to broadcast test match cricket in England, the Film Four channel was sometimes used to broadcast parts of a match when the main channel was committed elsewhere. At these times Film Four was available free-to-air.
At the Races
Channel 4 launched a dedicated horse racing channel, At the Races, in 2000, however for a combination of financial and legal reasons the channel ceased broadcasting in 2003. It was subsequently bought by BSkyB and relaunched in June 2004, but Channel 4 no longer has any involvement with it. The Channel 4 programmes, also named At the Races, returned to their original name of Channel 4 Racing when the channel left involvement with At The Races.
E4
E4, a digital entertainment channel previously available on the Internet, was launched in January 2001. It features premieres of US imports and supplementary footage for programs on its main channel (most notably extended Big Brother coverage).
In 2005 it launched on the Freeview service. E4 now has as much coverage as other services available on Cable, Satellite and Freeview like ITV2 and BBC Three. It is a very successful channel with a first look or sneak peek, with the next episode of some series, such as Hollyoaks, Desperate Housewives and Lost appearing on E4 immediately after the show on Channel 4 has finished. Also they have "Second Chance Sunday" which allows you to see missed programmes on a Sunday.
T4
T4 is a separately identified strand carried on Channel 4 and briefly on E4 until 2002. It consists of programming in the mornings seven days a week for an age range of around 13–25.
Music, soaps and US comedy shows all feature as part of the schedule on T4. Famous programmes include the Hollyoaks Omnibus, Will & Grace and Friends, with popular US animation Futurama airing weekend mornings too.
Quiz Call
Quiz Call is a television channel on which puzzles and questions are displayed and viewers invited to call in to win prizes. The channel launched on August 30, 2005, and is available on Sky, Freeview (channel 37) and NTL cable. The channel makes no mention of its connection with Channel 4 on-screen or on its website.
More4
More4 is a channel aimed at more upmarket 35 to 60 year olds. It was launched on 10th October 2005. The channel also carries news and nightly discussion programmes, such as "More4 News" an extension of Channel 4 News which brings you in-depth reports on the news happening. Advertising prior to the launch of the channel flaunted HBO shows such as Curb Your Enthusiasm and The Sopranos, as well as The West Wing from NBC. Its conception has been received with conflicting response. Firstly, many people believe the programmes shown to be of great quality. Secondly, however, many see it as an excuse to free up more room for a deluge of property programmes or less respectable programmes(see Fat Pets) in all other free slots on Channel 4.
4Learning
4Learning produces innovative and thought-provoking multimedia services for schools and learners of all ages in the United Kingdom. More than 400 hours of its programming is broadcast on Channel 4 in the UK(excluding Wales)each year. One of its well known programmes is The Hoobs. But between 1987-1993 the schools service was ran by ITV as ITV Schools on 4.
FourDocs
FourDocs is an Online service from Channel 4. FourDocs is a broadband documentary channel that celebrates all aspects of the documentary genre. It allows users to upload their own documentaries to the website for others to watch. The videos need to be 4 minutes long.
Future proposals
On 27 February 2004 it was reported that Channel 4 and Five were discussing a possible merger. Because of the special nature of Channel 4, any such merger would have required an Act of Parliament. However in November 2004, Channel 4 pulled out of the discussions. Subsequently, Five has now been bought by RTL.
In August 2004 the news came that Channel 4 is planning a digital radio station using the licence currently belonging to Oneword radio. For more information, see the article Oneword.
In September 2004 Channel 4 spent £55m reserving space for up to 14 channels on SES Global's Astra 2D satellite before the limited amount of air space is filled, though some of this may be filled with Channel 4's existing channels when more expensive contracts with BSkyB expire in 2008.
Also in September, the television regulator, Ofcom, announced it was looking into creating a new public-service broadcasting license for a channel broadcasting three hours per day dedicated to factual and current affairs programming. The new channel, if it is approved, will probably not be funded by advertising, and may be a subscription channel or funded by a top-up to the BBC's license fee. It was widely suggested in the news that Channel 4 would be the most likely candidate to run the new channel.
Programming
One of the channel's strengths is its comedy mostly shown on a Friday night. In the early days they screened The Comic Strip Presents, a highly innovative series of hour-long one-off comedies produced by a rotating line-up of alternative comedians such as Rik Mayall, Adrian Edmondson, Dawn French, Jennifer Saunders, Peter Cook, Peter Richardson, and Alexei Sayle. The Tube and Friday Night Live also launched the careers of a number alternative comedians. Latterly they have aired cutting-edge comedy shows such as Brass Eye, The Mark Thomas Product, Peter Kay's Phoenix Nights, Drop the Dead Donkey, Desmond's and arguably its biggest mainstream hit Father Ted. Recently added to Channel 4 is The IT Crowd and My Name is Earl.
The first voice ever heard on Channel 4 was that of continuity announcer Paul Coia, who intoned, "Good afternoon. It's a pleasure to be able to say to you: Welcome to Channel Four", before heading into a montage of clips from its programmes (link to video clip) set to the station's Lord David Dundas-penned signature tune, Fourscore, which would form the basis of the station's jingles for its first decade. The first programme to air on the channel was the teatime game show Countdown, produced by Yorkshire Television; it is still running as of 2006 and is contracted until 2009.
In contrast to the other terrestrial TV channels, Channel 4 makes none of the programmes it broadcasts, because it is known as a publishing only television channel and partly as a result of the terms under which it was founded. Its critically acclaimed news service, Channel 4 News, is supplied by ITN, and the channel commissions all of its programmes from outside companies.
The channel has established a tradition of broadcasting the animated film of Raymond Briggs's picture book The Snowman, which in 1982 was the new channel's first major animated commission, every Christmas. From 2002, the film was controversially cropped from its original 4:3 picture format to the current widescreen standard of 16:9.
Channel 4 was the first UK broadcaster to use stranded programming with slots such as 4 Mation showing innovative animation. Under Isaacs the channel also gained a reputation for programmes on the contemporary arts.
Channel 4 pioneered the concept of 'after the pub' television, with series such as Who Dares Wins, Tonight with Jonathan Ross, Friday Night Live and The Word broadcast in the 10 – 11pm slot.
In 1989 the Channel launched a breakfast television slot produced by Mentorn Films, called the Channel 4 Daily. In 1992 this was replaced by The Big Breakfast, which became one of the best loved programmes on British TV, before it was axed in March 2002. It was replaced by RI:SE, which failed massively, and since then, the channel has quit original programming for the breakfast TV slot in favour of repeats. Now T4 runs the early morning slots on weekdays to replace RI:SE with popular shows like Friends showing every weekday morning. (This was temporarily interrupted in early 2006 with the show Morning Glory, designed to keep the audience following the early morning transmission of Big Brother's Little Breakfast).
On November 4, 2003, Channel 4 screened its final episode of Brookside, a soap opera which had run for the 21 years since the channel started.
For years, Channel 4 has broadcast episodes of the most popular situation comedies from the United States on Friday nights. In 2004, Friday-night sitcoms on Channel 4 included Friends, Sex and the City and Will & Grace. American drama is also a key part of Channel 4's portfolio, initially with NYPD Blue and ER. These were followed by Without a Trace, The West Wing and Six Feet Under. Many of these programmes are shown (and notably edited) for their Sunday morning T4 slot.
Channel 4 is also noted for the screening of Big Brother. Based on the original Dutch format, the UK version has attracted massive press attention for each of its six series from 2000 to date.
Channel 4 also has a strong reputation for history programmes and real-life documentaries. It has also courted controversy, for example by broadcasting live the first public autopsy to be carried out in the UK for 170 years, carried out by Gunther von Hagens in 2002, or the 2003 one-off stunt Derren Brown Plays Russian Roulette Live.
The television chef Jamie Oliver could not reach a deal with the BBC after his contract with them expired in December, 2002. Channel 4 took him up. Since this happened, Jamie Oliver has created a number of documentaries such as Jamie's Kitchen, Jamie's School Dinners, which was broadcast to coincide with his campaign to improve the quality of school dinners, and Jamie's Great Escape.
Starting in 2004, Channel 4 began a promotion of its channel consisting of the broadcast of short clips between programs of British or American actors, alongside presenters of Channel 4 programmes, answering more or less personal questions, such as "What animal do you feel most compatible with?", "What would you be doing if you weren't an actor?". One such clip featured actors saying their favourite swear words.
Since 5 November 2004, Channel 4 has had the British terrestrial rights to show new-to-terrestrial episodes of The Simpsons, in addition to several of the classic seasons, rights that had previously been held by the BBC since the show started airing on British terrestrial (1996). This was considered a major scoop for Channel 4, which began promoting The Simpsons nearly a month in advance, using 18-frame teasers for the show (made up of various characters' faces being created using different-coloured Channel 4 logos) to lead into commercial breaks from October 8th onward. When it started airing in November 2004, seasons 2-5 of the show were repeated weekdays at 6pm, with new and newer episodes from seasons 11 & 12 Fridays at 9pm. From January 2006, C4 lost the rights to seasons 2 and 3 to Sky, but showed Season 6 in November 2005. More new episodes are scheduled to start airing in the post-watershed slot (Season 13) soon.
In January 2005, Channel 4 gained the rights to show the hugely popular US comedy Desperate Housewives. It became a ratings landslide, having received 6 million viewers and getting 3rd place in the ratings.
In August 2005, Channel 4 started showing the US TV show Lost after a lengthy advertising campaign that included a 60-second commercial, shot by David LaChapelle, that featured the cast and cost over £1 million, becoming the most expensive advertisement produced in the UK. This gamble seems to have paid off, however; the pilot episode was watched by over 6 million viewers, placing it second in the overall ratings for the channel for that year, Big Brother securing the top spot. Thursdays saw Ricochet's canine Supernanny Victoria Stilwell tame Britain's worst dogs as It's Me or the Dog launched onto screens. It lasted six episodes in Series 1, earning record ratings and a second series launched in January 2006.
In October 2005 Channel 4 began broadcasting the UK version of Endemol's worldwide smash game show Deal or No Deal. Despite being broadcast at a relatively slow time slot - 4.15pm weekdays and originally 4.25pm Saturdays - the show, presented by Noel Edmonds, on some occasions had been the most-watched show on the channel. The Saturday edition of the show has since moved to a prime-time slot.
Channel 4 and its associated channels do not cut programmes or movies for commercial timing purposes.
Audience records
The highest audience ever attained by Channel 4 was 13.8 million for the film A Woman of Substance, broadcast on 4 January 1985.
Excluding films, the channel's highest rating was 10 million viewers for the final of the third series of Big Brother on 27 July 2002. The channel's daily share of viewing on that date was 22.8%, then the highest recorded by the station. This record was beaten on Monday 12 September, 2005, the final day of the 2005 Ashes, when the channel's daily share of viewing in UK homes was recorded as 23.2%. This was also the first time that Channel 4 had been the highest-rating UK television station across a 24-hour period.
Building
Image:Channel 4 Building - Horseferry Road - London - 310504.jpg
Channel 4 occupies a distinctive, purpose-designed building on Horseferry Road, Westminster, designed by Richard Rogers Partnership with structural engineering by Ove Arup & Partners. It follows on from, but is more restrained than, the Lloyd's building in the City of London, and was constructed from 1991–94. It was built on the former site of a Methodist teacher-training college, which occupied a neo-Gothic campus intermittently from its foundation in 1851 until World War Two, when the buildings were badly damaged by an incendiary bomb. The College eventually moved to a purpose-built site in Oxford in 1959 and became Westminster College, Oxford.
Advertising regions
Unlike the many regions of BBC One and ITV1, and the national versions of BBC Two, Channel 4's only regional variation is its advertising. In fact, Channel 4 operates six demographically-crafted versions, with identical programming apart from the advertisements: London & the South East , the South West, Birmingham, the North and N. Ireland, and the East and East Midlands. These are also carried as six satellite channels.
Channel 4 is also extensively viewed in the Republic of Ireland through signal overspill from Northern Ireland and it is also carried on the major urban cable networks owned by NTL and Chorus. More people can potentially see Channel 4 in the Republic of Ireland than in Northern Ireland. As a result many advertisers utilise Channel 4 in Northern Ireland to target viewers on both sides of the border on an 'All Ireland' basis. Close to 70% of homes in the Republic can receive Channel 4
See also
External links
- http://www.channel4.com/
- http://www.filmfour.com/
- Media Guardian special report on Channel 4
- Channel 4 Swearing ad WARNING: this clip includes strong language.fr:Channel 4