What It Does: Channel 4 is a commercially funded British public broadcasting service that commissions media content from producers, particularly small and medium enterprises across the UK. Channel 4 broadcasts media content such as Current Affairs, Film and News.
Mission: Channel 4’s mission is to produce change through entertainment by being the voice of the unheard, reinventing entertainment, and challenging with purpose.
Size and Presence: Channel 4 employs 992 workers across 4 locations in the UK.
Best Known For: This media outfit is best known for several popular TV shows, namely Don't Hug Me I'm Scared, Help, Big Boys, The Curse, and so on. In the 2022 edition of the Edinburgh TV Festival, Channel 4 won Channel of the Year. Channel 4 is also credited with 13 RTS Awards and 44 BAFTA nominations, which is impressive. Channel 4 is one of the most successful media outfits in the UK.
The Good Bits: Channel 4 is a top employer in the UK, and the company has a very inclusive work environment. The work is very exciting. The employment benefits are very encouraging as well.
The Not-So-Good Bits: The work can sometimes get overwhelming because employees execute several job roles.
Before the emergence of Channel 4, Britain had three territorial TV networks. In 1980, the UK parliament passed legislation, the Broadcasting Act of 1980, which gave room for a 4th territorial television outfit. This birthed Channel 4 in 1982. The company was used for months for mock broadcasting and finally went live in late 1982 from Scala House. Channel 4's first program to air was Countdown, a teatime game show. Richard Whiteley was the first broadcaster to be seen on the channel, closely followed by Ted Moult. On the first day of live transmission, the media outfit aired Brookside, a soap opera with controversial storylines. The company continually transmitted the program until 2003.
During its launch to the public, Channel 4 committed to being an alternative to the channels that were already in existence. The company's eventual execution of this mandate made it widely accepted among minority blocs in the UK. In 1993, there was a shift in broadcasting style after there was a change in management. Channel 4 began to air content for the mainstream public. In 2004, the company changed its logo. The following year, the company ventured into radio broadcasting by purchasing a majority of shares in Oneword radio station. From 2021, the company was in privatisation talks.
Channel 4 has one of the most inclusive working environments in the UK. By 2023, the company hopes to achieve 20% ethnic diversity in its workforce and an even gender population. This company is a hub for all, regardless of their creed, religion, race, nationality, physical condition, sexuality, or age. Thanks to the company's inclusive work culture, everyone has a sense of belonging. The employees are friendly and willing to support each other, making it a viable environment for interns and freshers. The company’s dress code is semi-casual.
The company seeks out the professional development and growth of its interns and freshers by organising Industry Talent Schemes, Apprenticeships, and Training Schemes. Through apprenticeships, employees can get the needed work experience while earning relevant qualifications. The Production Training Scheme is targeted to those freshers who desire to be media content producers. Talent Scheme is targeted at youngsters who want to learn other aspects of production, such as screenwriting. Armed with these skills, growth in the company is inevitable.
A fresher working at Channel 4 earns an average of £22,000 annually.
Channel 4's annual contribution to the UK economy is almost a billion pounds, and the company provides several jobs for the public.
The media outfit has aired some controversial programs, but aside from that, there's no widely published controversy yet.