Channel 4 has announced a range of measures to increase commissions from production companies in the nations…
The strategy to increase commissions from Nations-based indies forms part of Channel 4’s Nations and Regions strategy announced in October last year to deliver a package of measures focused on three core areas – skills, content, and people – to serve and reflect the whole of the UK.
Channel 4 aims to increase its commitment by one-third – from 9% to 12% of its main channel content spend and hours – in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales by 2028, as part of its new 10-year licence and two years ahead of the channel’s 2030 quota requirement set by Ofcom. Channel 4 will commit to spending £10 million in 2026 and £25 million in 2027 with Nations’ based producers.
The ring-fenced content budget – £35 million of content spend -as part of its strategy to boost its impact across the UK.forms a part of a Nations and Regions commissioning strategy which will be delivered by Jo Street, Channel 4’s Head of Lifestyle and Director of Commissioning, Nations and Regions.
The strategy will help maximise the creative potential of independent production companies outside of London, whilst acknowledging that Channel 4 must continue to operate within its means and in a sustainable way.
Jo Street, Channel 4’s Head of Lifestyle and Director of Commissioning, Nations and Regions:
“We’re determined to increase our commissions from producers in Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland and this strategy will help deliver on that commitment.”
As part of the measures, each genre in Channel 4’s commissioning department has appointed a lead commissioning editor, one for each Nation, who will nurture stronger relationships with key suppliers in their designated Nation.
Genre Heads of Department will also draft three-year plans for each Nation and the English regions. Starting this year, each Nation will be allotted an extra £100k of development funding – money which enables indies to fully explore and develop potential programme ideas – above and beyond any existing development budgets already in place.
And all new More4 commissions in 2025 and 2026 will be set aside for indies based in the Nations & English regions. There will also be a key focus on dedicating more time, effort and investment to working collaboratively with Screen Agencies in the Nations and Regions.
Channel 4 has already met production companies in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and will host a series of Open Days in coming months to provide more detail on how it will boost commissions from across the UK.
Jo Street, Channel 4’s Head of Lifestyle and Director of Commissioning, Nations and Regions:
“Great ideas surface when there are trusting and creative relationships between suppliers and commissioners. This plan aims to stimulate and encourage those conditions across the UK. By strengthening the relationship and understanding between our commissioning leads and production companies in the Nations, we’ll give producers a better insight into the priorities for each genre, a sharper focus on what really cuts through for us and ultimately a better chance to get their ideas commissioned.”
