Channel 4

UK PSBs call for new prominence rules to tackle tech giants

The UK’s public service broadcasters have asked the government to guarantee the prominence of their linear and on-demand services in the face of mounting pressure from global giants like Netflix. In an open letter signed by the heads of the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5, STV and S4C, the broadcasters urged broadcast regulator Ofcom to modernise […]

Channel 4 appoints chief operating officer

UK broadcaster Channel 4 has confirmed the appointment of Keith Underwood as its new chief operating officer. Underwood took on the role in March while a full recruitment process took place and has position has now been made official. He was previously Channel 4’s director of strategy and technology. As COO Underwood will lead the Channel […]

Channel 4 narrows shortlist for new HQ and regional hubs

Channel 4 has narrowed down the choice of locations for its new national headquarters and two new creative hubs to six UK cities, with Manchester, Leeds and Birmingham all in the running. The UK public service broadcaster said it is now in “advanced negotiations” with the six cities, following a second stage pitch process in […]

Streaming services overtake UK pay TV as viewing revolution gathers pace

Subscriptions to OTT TV services Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Now TV have overtaken traditional pay TV services in the UK, according to figures compiled by media and telecom regulator Ofcom. According to Ofcom’s latest Media Nations report, which covers major trends in UK television, pay TV revenues also declined last year after a period […]

BBC and Channel 4 reportedly planning £500m bid for UKTV

The BBC is in talks with Channel 4 (C4) to make a £500 million (€565 million) bid to take full control of UKTV, according to The Guardian. BBC Studios is already the owner of 50% of UKTV, but it wants a majority stake in the company as it is a major source of profit for […]

YouView chief Halton to leave at end of year

YouView chief executive Richard Halton is to stand down at the end of this year to pursue new opportunities. The UK hybrid digital TV platform, which is jointly owned by BT, TalkTalk, the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5 and Arqiva, said that Halton, who led YouView from launch, had decided the moment was right […]

BBC and Channel 4 urge action over PSB prominence

The heads of the BBC and Channel 4 have come together to call for new legislation that will protect the prominence of UK public service output in today’s changing and increasingly digital media landscape. Speaking at a parliamentary event yesterday, BBC director general Tony Hall and Channel 4 CEO Alex Mahon said action was needed […]

Commercial broadcasters challenge BBC & C4 prominence plea

In response to calls by the BBC and Channel 4 for greater prominence for their digital services, the Commercial Broadcasters Association (COBA) has fired back – warning that intervention should not include changes to traditional linear TV, as doing so could damage much-needed investment in UK children’s programming. According to COBA, its multichannel members invested £23m in first-run, UK-made […]

Channel 4 adds Google Assistant voice controls for All 4

Channel 4 has integrated its All 4 on-demand service with Google Assistant across Google’s family of Home devices. The step means that All 4 viewers can use Google Home and Google Home Mini devices to ask the Google Assistant to play shows from All 4 on Chromecast. “We have a great track record in partnering […]

Freeview to receive £125m investment to go ‘fully hybrid’

The BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and network operator Arqiva have agreed to invest £125 million (€142 million) over five years to accelerate UK digital terrestrial platform Freeview’s transition to “a fully hybrid platform”. The four Digital UK shareholders said they aim to further develop Freeview Play, the DTT platform that marries free-to-view terrestrial TV and […]

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