Channel 4:
Is an UK service to free-to-air television network that began in 1982, although it is largely commercially funded it is ultimately publicly-owned and originally a subsidiary of IBA but is now owned by channel four television corporation. The channel was established to provide a fourth television station for the UK in addition to BBC one/ two and ITV. Channel four has recently tried to move more digitally with its online demand service to try and break into the expanding online market. As of 2007 Channel four announced a music channel 4Music which was a joint adventure with EMAP which would be included in Freeview. Channel four has been considered for privatization but is still in the control of the government. Along with being available in the UK Channel four is also available in Ireland Switzerland and Belgium where they have to pay for a subscription service.
The channel also has a sister channel Film4 which has been broadcasting since 1998, its standard version is available on Freeview while its high definition variant is offered as a pay television service. Channel 4 had to cut its budget due to its mounting losses due to its failure to compete with Hollywood.
Channel four originates from the UK with a 4.77% control of the television audience and has around a yearly revenue of £925 million which does not include funding from the UK license fee and employs 727 people as of 2010.
The channels most watched programs are; A woman of substance, Big Brother, four weddings and a funeral, Gregory girl, Great British Bake Off and Big fat Gypsy weddings all which got over 10 million views when they were nearly aired. Some of the channels more popular current programs are 8 out of 10 cats does countdown, Hollyoaks, Four in a bed, Come dine with me and Celebs Go dating. Hollyoaks achieves around 830,000 viewers a week while the great British bakeoff achieved 8,570,000 viewers.
Channel 4 tries to appeal to a new audience around young adults to middle age with its different programming, they try to be distinctive and innovative and try to appeal to all cultures in the UK due to their contract with the Government. The program tries to appeal as alternative to the major programs like BBC and ITV and adopts a progressive attitude and has been criticized for having a left-wing bias.
Channel 4 link:
A Woman of Substance link:
Big Brother link:
Great British Bake off link:
Hollyoaks link:
Come dine with me link:
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