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Commissioning

Commissioning

Commissioning

Our content is the key to Channel 4’s success.

Our commissioning team work with independent production companies from across the UK to greenlight new programmes.

Channel 4’s commissioning strategy revolves around a few key areas – all designed to drive streaming and transform us into the first Public Service Streamer: Premium Factual, Reality, Scripted, Lifestyle and digital.

Premium Factual: High-quality, must-watch documentaries that say something about the world around us. Recent examples include The Push: Murder on the Cliff, To Catch a Copper, Paula and Dispatches: Russell Brand - In Plain Sight. These shows are made by our Documentaries & Factual Entertainment, Specialist Factual, or News & Current Affairs departments.

Reality: Ultra-bingeable reality series that you can’t stop talking about with your friends – whether that’s Married at First Sight UK, Made in Chelsea, or Tempting Fortune. Our Reality & Entertainment department lead the charge on finding us the next raft of hits.

Scripted: Our Drama and Comedy teams are dedicated to supporting the next generation of writing talent, creating ambitious, distinctive pieces, and providing a regular drumbeat of scripted content to viewers. This ranges from It’s a Sin to The Gathering or from Derry Girls to Big Boys. 

Lifestyle: Our Lifestyle team concerned with how we live and what we care about – whether that’s homes, family, food, travel, or health. They help deliver linear share across daytime, shoulder peak and 8pm at more competitive tariffs (e.g. Our Welsh Chapel Dream) and nurture high-volume, lower-cost formats that drive streaming (e.g. Come Dine With Me, Four in a Bed).

Digital: We want to meet young people on the platforms that are native to them. Our Digital Commissioning team are dedicated to reaching young audiences with authentic content that speaks to them. They commission for YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat across a wide range of genres including entertainment, comedy and factual – including for explosive, irrepressible brand Channel 4.0.

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Employee profiles

Image of Deborah Dunnett

Deborah Dunnett - Commissioning Editor, Lifestyle

I am a Commissioning Editor based in Glasgow but I spend my days collaborating with companies from across the United Kingdom, both large and small. That could be developing fresh and exciting new formats or delivering old favourites. 

I love how much we prioritise inclusion on and off-screen, it’s part of every creative conversation and it’s backed up by the way we recruit and operate at the Channel. We’re happy to be Altogether Different! 

Every day is different and wonderful – but that’s what makes Channel 4, Channel 4!

Image of Laura Marks

Laura Marks - Senior Digital Commissioning Editor and Senior Operations Lead, Digital Commissioning

There is nowhere quite like Channel 4. I am lucky to have a role and team where we can take creative risks and look after projects that generate a lot of noise; that is incredibly motivating. The people here are creative and unique – we definitely work hard (very hard!), but also play hard.

We have such an inclusive culture at Channel 4 and it makes me proud to work for a Broadcaster where I can truly be myself, and able to work with colleagues from all walks of life. 

Photo of Cimran Shah

Cimran Shah – Commissioning Editor, Reality & Entertainment

I am a Commissioning Editor in the Reality & Entertainment department. C4 is a risk-taking, disruptive force in the media landscape and being a commissioner here means I get a front row seat for some very wild ideas. The culture that’s been fostered over the past 40 years is what makes us different. We embrace diversity – in all its guises, from thought to background – and that empowers everyone here to champion best in class programming.

Photo of Naomi Kay

Naomi Kay – Assistant & Programme Coordinator, Documentaries & Factual Entertainment

I am a Genre Assistant and Programme Co-Ordinator in the Documentaries and Factual Entertainment team. I absolutely love my role as I get to support such a talented team (especially all those powerhouse Docs women!) and learn from the best. I love the variation in my work and how collaborative the team are. I am so proud to work for Channel 4 as we’re constantly pushing the envelope and making telly that no other broadcaster would touch. We’re not afraid to ask hard questions, demand truthful answers and take risks in our work.