Channel 4 broadcasts many documentaries aimed at shocking viewers into action on important issues, though some argue they are exploitative. A recent documentary on dog fighting received hundreds of complaints for being too graphic. While ratings for most Channel 4 documentaries are over 2 million viewers, this documentary only attracted 147,000 viewers, suggesting many felt it went too far. The documentaries cost around £150,000 on average to produce. While they can benefit subjects by helping problems and boosting careers, many argue they also demoralize and discriminate against those they feature. There is debate around whether Channel 4 should keep broadcasting such sensitive documentaries.

1. CHANNEL 4
DOCUMENTARIES –
ENLIGHTENING OR
EXPLOITATIVE?
By Ryan, Jess and Lucy

2.  Channel 4 broadcast many different documentaries,
trying to shock the viewers into taking action against
important issues.
 These programmes are, more often than not, really
degrading or monstrous. The recent show ‘Going to the
dogs’ demonstrated the horrific world of dog fighting. It
received hundreds of complaints within hours of the
documentary being shown, and represented the
seriousness of the issue and the public’s reaction to it.
A measly 147,000 people tuned in, which, when you
compare it to the normal viewing figures of other
documentaries (well in excess of 2 million) shows that
many people felt C4 were wrong to broadcast it.

3. What do Channel 4 try to
avoid in a documentary?
 Channel 4 doesn’t make documentaries that don’t fit
with their stated purpose of reflecting contemporary
Britain.
 So why do Channel 4 show the bad sides of Britain
more often than not?
 Are they giving Britain a bad name by showing the bad
sides? Should they show more documentaries showing
the better side of Britain?

4. How much does it cost to
make these programmes?
 £150k on average. It costs Channel 4 £40k for a pre-purchase,
£10k for a license and then it varies
depending on the individual project.
 Channel 4 then make a profit based on ratings.
 The higher the ratings, the more money they make
from the companies whose products they show during
the advertising breaks, as more people would have
seen the advert.

5. Ratings for certain shows
 Going to the dogs (147,000) – Daily Mail website
 Royal Marines commando school (2million+) – BARB
 Educating the East End (2.2million) – Guardian website
 Benefits Street (4.3million) – Guardian website
 Man with the 10-stone testicles (3.9million) – Metro
website
 24 hours in A&E (2million+) - BARB

6. Ratings continued…
 9/11 – Fireman’s Story (2million+) – Guardian website
 One born every minute (2million+) – BARB
 Richard III documentary (4.3million) – Metro website
 Embarrassing bodies (3.5million) - Guardian
 The supervet (1.6million+) - BARB

7. Benefits and disadvantages of
appearing in C4 shows
 Appearing in ‘Embarrassing Bodies’ has both benefits
and drawbacks. It can allow people to get their problem
fixed, and for free usually, but it can also make the
subject of the programme shy and feel insecure. Also,
they will be faced with the fact that millions of people
will know what is wrong with them. Their only comfort is
that people will probably forget after a while.
 ‘My big fat fetish’ also demoralizes people. It allows
people like models to show off their bodies and
therefore makes insecure people unhappy with theirs.

8.  ‘Hairy women’ involves what it’s like for women to be
hairless, and the lengths they go to to be hairless.
 ‘The undateables’ is another horrifying documentary,
where people with impairments or long-term conditions
find love. They can find partners who understand them,
which is a benefit. Unfortunately, it also means that the
general public could be laughing and are probably
being judgmental towards the subjects.
 ‘Benefits Street’ has changed the lives of people like
White Dee, who appeared on Big Brother and is now
making lots of money, whilst being off benefits. This has
to be a good thing, as that’s one less person
scrounging off the taxpayers’ money.

9. Is it worth making these
documentaries?
 On the one hand, you have certain benefits that prove these
shows should be made. On shows such as ‘Embarrassing
Bodies’, you get to have all the problems you have gone for
free. You also help in improving the lifestyle of certain
people, such as White Dee who is now earning much more
money, and is off benefits.
 On the other hand, the show demoralizes people, and
makes them a target for discrimination and unjust bullying.
 Therefore, Channel 4 has a right to keep producing
documentaries to keep people entertained and informed
about ‘Contemporary Britain’. However, they should be more
careful of what they broadcast.