Part of the broadcaster’s Next on 4 strategy, unveiled last week, is a reduction in Channel 4’s investment in acquired US series. It will spend £35m less on imports over five years and switch that money into homegrown content. The move would mean around three fewer series airing each year on C4. US imports have been a key part of C4’s schedule in recent years, including shows such as Lost and Ugly Betty.
MPG broadcast director Jim McDonald said Channel 4’s commissions are generally either focused on ABC1s or young people, and that the broadcaster must continue that policy. “To be in advertisers’ best interests, Channel 4 needs to be working in the viewers’ best interests,” he added. “It needs to deliver audiences in the same volume and profile.”
But James Wildman, managing director of IDS, said: “If Channel 4 is shoring up revenue and needs extra funding, why is it ditching the programmes that deliver its impacts?”
Duncan denied that Channel 4 was pulling out of US shows entirely. “Over five years we are making only a 20% reduction, so that is just 4 [percentage points] per year,” he said. “The things we want to get rid of are the next-tier, mediocre shows, but Ugly Betty will absolutely be on our schedules in the future.”
PHD broadcast director Adam Turner said investing in strong UK content “makes more sense” than spending heavily on US dramas.
He added: “It needs to keep pushing the envelope that is Channel 4’s remit.
“Flagship documentaries such as Cutting Edge have an appeal to advertisers as they can deliver a quality audience, while the Big Food Fight and Jamie is part of what it does best.”
MPG broadcast director Jim McDonald said Channel 4’s commissions are generally either focused on ABC1s or young people, and that the broadcaster must continue that policy. “To be in advertisers’ best interests, Channel 4 needs to be working in the viewers’ best interests,” he added. “It needs to deliver audiences in the same volume and profile.”
But James Wildman, managing director of IDS, said: “If Channel 4 is shoring up revenue and needs extra funding, why is it ditching the programmes that deliver its impacts?”
Duncan denied that Channel 4 was pulling out of US shows entirely. “Over five years we are making only a 20% reduction, so that is just 4 [percentage points] per year,” he said. “The things we want to get rid of are the next-tier, mediocre shows, but Ugly Betty will absolutely be on our schedules in the future.”
PHD broadcast director Adam Turner said investing in strong UK content “makes more sense” than spending heavily on US dramas.
He added: “It needs to keep pushing the envelope that is Channel 4’s remit.
“Flagship documentaries such as Cutting Edge have an appeal to advertisers as they can deliver a quality audience, while the Big Food Fight and Jamie is part of what it does best.”
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