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Commissioning

Commissioning

Commissioning

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

As a publisher broadcaster we don’t produce content in-house, we commission it – helping independent production companies across the UK grow and nurturing new and existing talent. 100% of our UK programmes are commissioned from UK production companies.

Our Commissioning Teams are split into genres and work with producers to develop and deliver outstanding award-winning content.

Comedy is one of our key commissioning areas. It’s a genre for which we’ve always been renowned. The brief here is wide-ranging to reflect our diverse audience but, in general, the focus is on all scripted comedy for Channel 4 and E4. Recent critical successes have included: Catastrophe, Flowers, Chewing Gum, The Windsors, Drifters, Man Down, Ballot Monkeys and Friday Night Dinner.

Our Drama output is designed to be as ambitious as it is entertaining. We invest in programmes that have a distinctively ‘Channel 4 feel’ about them; programmes like National Treasure, No Offence and Humans.

Facts with a different flavour and a focus on being first to air is the brief for our Documentary team. This sits within our Factual department. Edgy, innovative, intriguing strands which engage the interest of a peak audience is what we look for here. It can mean taking some big risks. But this comes with the territory, so we know how to make them pay off.

Channel 4 Entertainment and Events serves up a mix of ambitious, ground-breaking fayre alongside crowd-pleasing, perennial favourites. This has seen our audience Stand Up to Cancer; get inspired by the courage and sporting prowess of Paralympians; and take a different view of politics through our Alternative Election Night. The Last Leg, 8 out of 10 Cats does Countdown and Stand Up to Cancer are just a few of the award-winning programmes worth a name check here.

Unplanned. Unplugged. Unscripted. Freeform, free-flowing output that doesn’t like to conform is overseen by our Formats department. The eclectic mix of runners and riders here includes peak-time C4 factual thriller, ‘Hunted’, and leftfield comedy, ‘Lookalikes’; not to mention inspirers of devoted fandom ‘Made In Chelsea’, ‘Tattoo Fixers’ and ‘Celebs Go Dating’.

Channel 4 streaming is our on-demand channel, that’s in demand for its original and exclusive shows; box sets of iconic series, as well as watch live and catch-up from the broadcast channels.

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Employee profiles

Image of Harjeet

Harjeet Chhokar - Commissioning Editor

I am a Commissioning Editor in the Channel 4 Factual department based in Leeds. The best thing about working for Channel 4 is the creative and collaborative nature of the work we do, whether that be meeting and developing ideas with independent production companies, who come with fantastic and exciting ideas, or working closely with talented colleagues, who help and offer advice when we need it. There is so much support offered to us – whether that be mentorship, 1-2-1s or training; I feel that as a company, we invest in the people that work here and value them highly.

 

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Laura Marks - Digital Commissioner for 4Studio

I love working at Channel 4. I am lucky to have a role where I 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. Collectively, it feels like we are the lifeblood of the Channel’s beating (risky) heart!

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Deborah Dunnett - Commissioner for Daytime and Features

Inclusion matters to me because I didn’t study at a leading university, or even know anyone who worked in media. I have found that in many of the TV companies I’ve worked for that’s not OK – but at Channel 4 it is.

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Alex Bootherstone - Genre Assistant for Entertainment and Live Events

I've been working for Channel 4 since January 2021. It has always been an ambition to work at Channel 4, as I've admired it as a network which is not afraid to shy away from big questions, and has enabled voices which aren’t heard on other channels to shine through.