The Commissioing Process of Channel4 / E4

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. As E4
is an extension channel of Channel the information is relevant for both broadcasters.
About the Channel 4 ‘platform’ (including E4)
Channel 4 is a publically owned, commercially funded public service broadcaster and therefore E4 does not receive
any public funding.
E4’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 E4 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. E4’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 (including E4) 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 the broadcaster 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 and E4 are private and commercially run it does not receive funding from the
government. This has both advantages and disadvantages for example they have more freedom
when it comes to content however they have to secure their own funding. In the case of Channel
4 and E4 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.

4. Drawbacks of the commissioning process for applicants-
The commissioning process does have disadvantages for some producers as per year
there will only ever be a certain amount of applicants that are successful.
Another disadvantage would be funding. Some broadcasters may like the idea of a
proposal however if the project is too large the budget from funding may not stretch
to that extent and therefore won’t be developed.
Lastly different channels will be looking for specific programme types. If an applicant
applies for the wrong channel their proposal will be dismissed due to lack of
connection with the target audience or they may state that the production does not
meet the channel’s ethos.

5. Choices
There are other options that producers take when it comes to broadcasting a
production. For example the use of social media.
It has become so easy to upload content to a social networking site regardless of time
and day. You don’t need permission to do this and works in a similar way to a ‘film
festival’ with developing films. This is an easy way to circulate a new text. Uploading a
product to a social networking site such as Twitter or Facebook ensures that a mass
amount of people will potentially view the product. Amateur producers can upload
their text for free and can receive feedback on their ideas almost instantly.
Like many films producers and singers, this can then be seen by a professional who may
be interested in the production and may want to broadcast it nationally or
internationally.
References
http://www.channel4.com/info/commissioning/4producers/online
http://www.channel4.com/info/commissioning/4producers
http://www.channel4.com/info/commissioning