1. The commissioning process
What is the commissioning process?
The commissioning process is the process of taking an idea or wanting to revamp an already existing idea. Once this
has been decided on, the commissioning editor sets a budget for the production and then the text is created.
About Channel 4
Channel 4 is a publically owned, commercially funded public service broadcaster and therefore Channel 4 does not
receive any public funding.
Channel 4’s ethos is to be innovative, experimental and distinctive. Channel 4 is successful in this way as it offers a
range of different programmes that meet the meets of a diverse audience. Some genres of programme that
Channel 4 show are: drama, education and documentaries.
As a publisher broadcaster Channel 4 is required to commission UK content from the independent production
sector. This therefore means this broadcaster can invest specifically in what their audience want and are interested
in. For example they work with around 300 creative companies per year.
Channel 4 has an expanding portfolio for example it has E4, Film4, More4 and 4music.
2. Channel 4’s commissioning editor
The commissioning process is headed by Richard Davidson-Houston.
His roles at Channel 4 include: multi-platform commissioning, product management,
programme support and channel management.
Within each department people are recruited to carry out these tasks under the wing of
Richard.
Multi-platform commissioning
Editors in this department work with a specific genre to commission programmes designed
with the idea that the audience will interact with them. They are also responsible for
identifying and developing ideas for short films.
Online programme support
The role of this department is to publish and commission online digital content to support
100 priority shows scheduled by Channel4 each year. This content is them published on social
media accounts such as: YouTube, 4oD and 4Now.
The channel management team
They employees within this department ensure content is easily discoverable in the right
places at the right times. The check the varies online channels used to promote and distribute
Channel4’s programming content.
Project management
This team is responsible for the quality, user experience and performance of digital products
e.g. Channel4.com, Film4.com, 4oD and 4Now.
3. Channel4 has recently changed the way that they accept proposals of new ideas.
For example applicants used to send their ideas via the 4Producers system however as of 2013
this changed and applicants must now follow the process of sending applications to the
commissioning editor.
This is how Channel4 suggests an applicant should apply:
1) Write up your idea in an email
2) Select which department and commissioning editor you need to send it to
3) Be patient as the editor should reply within 21 days
4) Email idea with accompanying material to programme co-ordinator
If your idea has made it through this process you will then be asked to go to Channel4’s studio to
have an interview. You need to explain your idea fully in order to persuade producers to like it and
see it as potentially successful.
Funding
As Channel 4 is private and commercially run it does not receive funding from the government.
This has both advantages and disadvantages for example Channel 4 has more freedom when it
comes to content however they have to secure their own funding. In the case of Channel 4 they
secure funding from the use of advertisements. The profit they make from advertisements is
reinvested into the company and used for the production of new innovative programmes.
Once someone’s idea has been accepted (after application and interview process) some of the
money raised from advertising is spent creating the text.
