Channel 4

Channel 4 commissions Troy Deeney – Where’s My History?

Troy Deeney (Credit: Channel 4)

Troy Deeney – Where’s My History? will follow Deeney during his high-profile campaign to make it mandatory to teach the history of black, Asian and minority ethnic experiences in the school curriculum.

A YouGov survey of 1000 primary and secondary school teachers discovered that only 12% of teachers feel confident and empowered to teach ‘optional’ black related topics. 

Deeney’s frustration with the lack of diversity in what students are taught in schools led to him writing an open letter to Rt Hon Nadhim Zahawi, Secretary of State for Education.

Channel 4 privatisation gets the green light

Channel 4’s national headquarters in Leeds (Credit: Channel 4)

In a string of tweets, the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, Nadine Dorries, announced on 4 April 2022 the privatisation of Channel 4. This policy will be part of a media bill to be announced in next month’s Queen’s Speech. When that bill reaches the top of the agenda, it will eventually kick off a legislative process via the House of Commons and the House of Lords designed to end the creation of Margaret Thatcher’s Government 40 years ago this November. 

Extreme athlete George King to front Channel 4 digital series Illegal Activities

In the four-part series, King will explore the dangerous world of Kambo ceremonies, lift surfing, car meets and mines. 

King is no stranger to dangerous activities, with the urban free climber having made international headlines in 2019 for climbing The Shard without ropes. 

The short-form digital series will see King meet other young risk takers who enjoy pushing themselves to the limit with perilous and at times illegal activities, discovering what motivates them to put themselves in such danger. 

The Holy Grail of TV - Returning Formats | RTS Scotland

An expert panel discusses their favourite factual-entertainment returning series, unpacking what makes them work and why they continue to be ratings winners not just at home but around the world.

Chaired by broadcaster and Homes Under the Hammer presenter, Martel Maxwell, the panel includes:

Jo Street, Head of Daytime and Features at Channel 4

Craig Hunter, Creative Director of Factual at STV Studios

Andrew Jackson, Creative Director at Raise the Roof Productions

Caroline McCaw, Researcher

Mat Marsters, Series Producer at Lion TV

The Fog of War | Ukraine: Broadcasters on the Front Line

A panel of BBC, ITN and Sky journalists examine the challenges of covering the war in Ukraine. BBC's Paul Adams, ITV's Rachel Corp, VICE News’ Hind Hassan and Sky News’ Jonathan Levy, chaired by Sian Williams, discuss how broadcasters and journalists deal with safety issues, access, verifying material and the difficulties of 24-hour news driven by social media and online coverage, all while remaining impartial, keeping their sanity, and not falling victim to propaganda.

New trailer released for third and final series of Derry Girls

Set in early 1990s Belfast, the Channel 4 series follows teenagers Erin (Saoirse-Monica Jackson), Orla (Louisa Harland), Clare (Nicola Coughlan), Michelle (Jamie-Lee O'Donnell), and James (Dylan Llewellyn) as they navigate teenage life at a Catholic girls' school, against the backdrop of the end of the Troubles in Northern Ireland. 

After the series two finale saw James' emotional decision to stay in Derry as a true '"Derry girl", the new trailer shows the whole gang back together in their usual mishaps as their final school year comes to a close.

Channel 4 announces new comedy series The Change

Credit: All 4

The six-part comedy drama will see stand-up comedian, actor and writer Bridget Christie play Linda, a woman who finds herself going through a major life change. 

At 50-years-old, the working class, married mother of two is having an identity crisis, she’s questioning who she is, what she is and if there is more to life.         

After forgetting the name for a shoe, Linda is worried that she’s suffering from early onset dementia. 

Channel 4 announces two new shows with Ellie Taylor

Ellie Taylor (Credit: All 4)

Comedian Ellie Taylor will host two new entertainment shows, You Won’t Believe This and Let’s Make a Love Scene.

The four-part series You Won’t Believe This will see ordinary members of the public play amateur detectives and hear unbelievable stories from a series of suspects, but only one is telling the truth.

They will have the assistance of seasoned police detectives to help them uncover who is telling the truth.

The suspects will undergo a police interrogation, with the amateur sleuths probing over every detail of the suspect’s story.

Ainsley Harriott and Grace Dent to explore British seaside for new Channel 4 food and travel series

In each of the five parts of Best of British By the Sea, Harriott and Dent will visit a different destination to discover its tastiest dishes, from local delicacies and cheap eats to high-end dining.

The duo will stay in both a self-catered property where they will cook for each other using their favourite produce, and a hotel to soak up the ambience with the owners and chefs. From their accommodations they will venture out to the local attractions and hidden foodie hotspots.