Channel 4

Now that the threat of privatisation is no longer looming, Alex Mahon can focus on other items in the Channel 4 in-tray: recovering from the economic downturn; accelerating its digital strategy; and coming up with new hits.

In a wide-ranging interview that covered everything from company culture to the channel’s relationship with government and industry partners, Mahon first addressed the struggles of the UK’s indie sector.

Two residents of Oxfordshire notice the fish are going missing in the river running through their town. When their water company fails to provide answers, the pair take matters into their own hands, embarking on an investigation that ends up lasting a decade.

Since 2015, water companies have faced prosecution at least 59 times following illegal dumping. They continue undeterred, however, with sewage discharges more than doubling since 2023. Hospital admissions from waterborne diseases are up 60%.

Dr Susannah Newman (Anne-Marie Duff, Bad Education) is having a session with Jon (Dominic Cooper, Preacher). Under hypnosis, Jon admits to being a murderer. It falls to Susannah to convince a sceptical police force that a young girl’s life is now in danger.

For many of the young cast of new Channel 4 drama The Gathering, it was their first time in professional acting roles – not that viewers are likely to be able to tell.

The secret to eliciting such quality performances from newcomers is to leave them to get on with it, lead director Gareth Bryn told the Liverpool premiere audience.

Written and created by Bridget Christie (Taskmaster), the comedy-drama follows 50-year-old Linda Jane Jenkins (Christie), who embarks on a pilgrimage to Gloucestershire after learning she has started the menopause. Linda finds solace in the forest, where she meets a host of interesting characters, from the Pig Man (Jerome Flynn) to the Verderer (Jim Howick). The community rally around the Eel Festival, where Linda is crowned the Eel Queen.

The free service allows its users to stream live channels through smart TVs, without the need for an aerial or dish. Viewers are also able to watch on-demand content from the UK’s biggest broadcasters.

As was previously announced, Hisense will be the first smart TV partner for the service, and begins selling Freely smart TVs today (30^th April).

Freely represents the first collaboration between Britain’s four public service broadcasters, in an effort to futureproof live TV in the age of streaming.

Intended for 16-34-year-olds, UNTOLD investigates contemporary subject matters which appeal to the younger generations. Past episodes include Only Fans Got Me Fired, The Truth About Spiking, and The Cost of Being a YouTuber. All episodes are available on the Channel 4 streaming service and are posted onto the Channel 4 Documentaries YouTube channel.