Channel 4

Alex Mahon: How indies saved Channel 4 during lockdown

Speaking at the RTS Digital Convention 2020, Mahon recalled that in the spring when Britain was hit by the first wave of coronavirus: “Indies came to the rescue of Channel 4 and said ‘We’ll be flexible, we’ll work out how to produce in lockdown.’  

“They said, ‘We have to delay this programme or we can’t make it or we’ve found a cunning way to make this programme.’”  

She added: “Indies did incredible things and produced things cheaply.”  

In conversation with Alex Mahon | RTS Digital Convention 2020

Watch Alex Mahon, CEO of Channel 4, in conversation with Tim Hincks, co-CEO of Expectation as part of the RTS Digital Convention 2020, sponsored by YouTube.

Alex and Tim discuss Covid strategies, editorial direction and production budgets, the rate of change at Channel 4, Ofcom’s PSB review and much more.

The session is part of a number of online events from leading industry figures for RTS Digital Convention 2020, sponsored by YouTube.

New crime thriller Before We Die announced by Channel 4

(credit: Channel 4)

The six-part series is based on the hit Swedish thriller of the same name, with the UK adaptation taking place in Bristol.

Before We Die follows detective Hannah Laing (Lesley Sharpe) who discovers her son is playing a crucial role in a brutal murder investigation as an undercover informant.

Patrick Gibson (The OA) stars as Christian, Hannah’s mixed-up son whose role is causing deep conflict for his mother.

10 things you might not know about Taskmaster

Each series sees host Greg Davies and sidekick Alex Horne stump five comedian contestants with their tasks.

Ahead of the show’s October 2020 return on Channel 4, we take a look at who and what makes Taskmaster tick.

Here are 10 things you probably didn’t know about Taskmaster.

Channel 4 documentary delves into The Real AC12

Viewers will get unprecedented access to the counter corruption unit and learn about the work of the Professional Standards Department (PSD), unveiling a side of policing that is largely unknown to the public.

Avon and Somerset Police opens its doors to Story Films at a time when police conduct is under more scrutiny than ever before, allowing them to uncover the work of their PSD teams. 

Brands and broadcasters must seize the time to improve diversity

(credit: Channel 4)

Covid-19 has claimed the lives of more than 40,000 people in the UK to date, and almost shut down the TV airtime advertising industry. Across April and May revenues dropped by more than 50%.

Most citizens were locked down in their homes with their children homeschooled – or not – for close to four months. The world seemed to have gone mad. Worldwide, the message was to wash your hands, wear a face mask, socially distance and pretty much hope for the best.

Cutting through the clutter: The importance of broadcaster branding

It was easier in the old days – if a show was good enough, families in their millions watched it from their living rooms. But as choice, channels and platforms mushroomed, finding an audience for a programme became more complicated. The fight to be heard now requires broadcasters to break out to digital platforms, mobile devices and new audiences – who increasingly receive their recommendations from social media.

Channel 4 announces return of The Great British Bake Off

(credit: Channel 4)

The light-hearted trailer, entitled ‘The Gift’, follows the nation zealously trying to get their hands on some precious, rare flour to bake themselves through lockdown.

From banana bread to sourdough, birthdays to Bar mitzvahs, the shortage of flour caused chaos for the UK’s amateur bakers. The trailer highlights the welcome relief of the return of baking, and the upcoming eleventh series of The Great British Bake Off.

New drama from the makers of The End of the F***king World coming to Channel 4

Danny’s mum was killed in a car accident when he was just a baby.

In order to protect Danny from any more danger, his father Steve isolated them and locked Danny inside a new house in the middle of nowhere.

Danny grew up learning of the monsters waiting for him if he was to leave, and that they were the ones who took his mum.

For 18 years they stayed, avoiding the evil outside while listening to Benny Goodman records and watching old movies with only happy endings.