Channel 4 Research

This research is both primary and secondary, using my questionnaires and channel4.com as reference for compiling the information.

Channel 4 – 

·        Is publicly owned

·       Has a target audience of around 16-40 years olds, but is more watched by younger adults

·        Is commercially funded

·        Is a ‘Public Service Provider’

-         2003 Communications Act

-         2010 Digital Economy Act

·        Has companies in television, film and digital media

·        Is a ‘publisher broadcaster’

·        Is required to commission UK content

·        Uses independent production companies to commission their programmes

·        Began broadcasting in 1982

·        Began 24 hour broadcasting in 1997

·        Has a Welsh language version of the channel – S4C

Channel 4 shows –

·        Dramas

·        Comedies

·        Reality programmes

·        Documentaries

·        Food programmes

·        Soaps

·        Entertainment programmes

According to my questionnaires, the most commonly watched programmes are reality and comedy, closely followed by entertainment.

Channel 4 tries to be –

·        Innovative

·        Experimental

·        Distinctive

·        Very British

However, it has also been very controversial in it’s ideas. One idea that didn’t make it to screen was ‘Wank Week’, which was a week of programming entirely based on masturbation. This was scrapped because there were so many questions and complaints raised before airing. On the other hand, Channel 4 has been able to broadcast very controversial content, such as showing a live autopsy in 2002.