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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 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.