Mitchell & Webb head Back to 4

At the broadcaster’s Upfront 2017 event, they announced a brand new comedy series from Peep Show writer Simon Blackwell, to star David Mitchell and Robert Webb; named the first celebrities to take part in this year’s The Jump; and promised a massive content investment increase for 2017 on All 4

The stars of Peep Show Mitchell and Webb are returning to Channel 4 in Back.

The six-part comedy sees Mitchell play Stephen, a long-suffering son of ‘local legend’ pub landlord Laurie. When his father dies he gets the chance - finally – to take over his family business as his mum and sister have no interest in doing so.

However, the arrival of Andrew (Webb), a charismatic globe-trotter who was fostered briefly by Stephen’s parents, at Laurie’s funeral sends all Stephen’s plans awry.

All 4 gets a fresh new look

All 4, the on demand service from Channel 4, will receive a makeover and increased content investment in 2017.

The new interface will discriminate between big screen (smart TVs and games consoles) and smaller screens lime iOS, Android and online to provide a more intuitive user experience across devices.

New home screens will combine ‘human’ curation was data-driven personalisation to individually tailor user experiences.

Channel 4 has also promised a multi-million pound increase in investment for original and acquired online content for All 4 in 2017, in addition to brand-funded series.

All 4 has revealed eight new strands which will form the basis of future commissions and acquisitions.

These include New Romantics which explore modern love, Rich Kids, unpacking the lives of the wealthy, Ballsy for those living right on the edge, and Freaks and Uniques, meeting extraordinary people with incredible lives.

Catch up television represents half of all All 4 viewing, and the service’s foreign language on demand channel Walter Presents has amassed over 15 million views since it launched in January 2016.

UEFA on 4

Channel 4 has secured the exclusive free-to-air UK TV rights to show all England and Scotland football matches at the UEFA Women’s Euro tournament in summer 2017.

England and Scotland face each other in their opening match on 19 July in Holland, with the game being shown live of Channel 4.

The two teams will also face Spain and Portugal in Group D which will see the winner and runner up going through to the knock out stages.

Channel 4’s Stephen Lyle said “We’re thrilled to have secured the 2017 UEFA Women’s Euros on Channel 4. With Scotland there for the first time and England’s Lionesses at the top of their game, I believe this tournament is going to be one of the sporting highlights of the summer.”

 

Channel 4 targets advertisers

Following the success of this year’s Superhumans Wanted airtime competition, Channel 4 is reconfirming it’s goal to inspire advertisers and agencies to feature disability in their TV ad campaigns.

The broadcaster is giving away £1m commercial airtime to encourage the industry to feature a broader range of diversity in ad creative, in parallel with C4’s existing 360° Diversity Charter, targeting on and off screen editorial diversity.

 

The Jump slides into a fourth series

Following a thorough review of safety standards, The Jump is returning for a fourth series.

Davina McCall will be back to host the competition, which is filmed in Austria, and sees celebrity contestants risk life and limb to be crowned The Jump champion.

Welsh Rugby International player Gareth Thomas, World Cup winner and England Rugby Captain Jason Robinson OBE, Made in Chelsea star Spencer Matthews and lingerie business owner and model Caprice Bourett have been announced as the first of the celebs who will be strapping on their skis and hitting the slopes.

Who dares to take on the SAS

SAS: Who Dares Wins will return for a third series.

Channel 4’s Head of Specialist Factual John Hay said that the series “pushes the limits of reality television, reveals a secret world, talk honestly about mental health, loss and modern masculinity, looks like a feature film, makes me laugh and cry and attracts a massive audience. And if that recipe doesn’t deserve a recommission, nothing does.”