Jay Hunt

The Channel 4 News anchor called for journalists and their recruiters to leave their bubble in order to widen the awareness and understanding of people outside the media elite.

Snow said that the recent Grenfell Tower tragedy had exposed a shameful lack in awareness of issues facing those on lower incomes.

In a moving speech, Snow spoke of the guilt he felt when confronted by the survivors of the Grenfell disaster who asked broadcasters “where were you? Why didn’t you come here before?”

The ten-part series, which stars Elisabeth Moss (Mad Men), Joseph Fiennes (Shakespeare in Love) and Alexis Bledel (Gilmore Girls), is the story of life in the dystopian Gilead, a totalitarian society in what was formerly part of the USA.

Comedians Sandi Toksvig (QI) and Noel Fielding (The Mighty Boosh) will host Britain’s biggest baking competition, while restaurateur and food writer Prue Leith joins Paul Hollywood as a judge.
 
The news comes after it was announced last autumn that the blockbuster baking show would be moving from BBC One to Channel 4.
 

James Purnell: ‘From a PSB perspective, we now see a real chasm between the way we are going to be regulated. 

‘The Charter agreement is a set of incredibly detailed guidance to Ofcom – children’s programmes, history, religion, current affairs, 100-plus quotas. 

‘We wouldn’t wish that on Channel 4, but, looking at what has happened with Bake Off, there is a huge difference between the way we are regulated, and… now there is a question about whether that is right. 

‘Channel 4’s lighter touch should be looked at.’ 

The series is written and produced by Dan Fogleman - creator of Crazy Stupid Love, and follows the lives of seemingly random individuals, many of whom share the same birthday, whose lives cross in curious ways.

Mandy Moore (A Walk to Remember), Milo Ventimiglia (Heroes, Gilmore Girls) and Sterling K. Brown (The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story) star in the series, alongside Chrissy Metz, Justin Hartley, Chris Sullivan, Susan Kelechi Watson and Ron Cephas Jones.

Existing hits Gogglesprogs, Educating ..., and the Richard Osman-fronted Child Genius will be renewed alongside all new commissions, as the broadcaster boosts its spending on content aimed at young teens from £3million to £5million a year.

Targeting the audience of Channel 4's 8pm slot, the initiative also aims to provide wider learning experiences in the form of animated online shorts accompanying their shows, made available on their website and app All4.

The 60 minute programme, titled 24 Billion Pound Party People, follows a group of wealthy young socialites as they throw parties around the world. Production company 7 Wonder said it is the first time E4 has fused the genres of documentary and reality to create a 'factuality' show.

You’ve described an environment at Channel 4 where commissioners shape the shows and even originate the ideas. Do independent producers share your view of this proactive process?