Channel 4 says it has faced a year of unprecedented challenges including privatisation, political instability and macroeconomic turbulence continuing into this year.
The commercially funded broadcaster has invested 713 million invested in British content, while strong streaming growth continued, achieving 1.4 billion total streaming views, just below the record 1.5 billion views achieved during lockdown in 2021.
The second half of 2022 was ahead of the corresponding period in 2021, when people were no longer required to stay at home.
Channel 4 continued to be the youngest profiling Broadcaster Video on Demand (BVOD) service in the UK, with 16-34-year-olds making up one-third of its user base. To date, 85% of the UK’s 16-34-year-olds have a Channel 4 streaming account.
Since its launch in October 2022, Channel 4.0, a new digital brand aimed at young people, has generated more than 42 million views, with 75% from 13-24-year-olds.
“Channel 4’s exceptional team has steered the organisation to the benefit of British viewers and the creative industries. Channel 4 is focused on being more digital as a broadcaster and more commercial as a business, transforming into a public service streamer,” said Sir Ian Cheshire, Chair of Channel 4.
The broadcaster has seen off the threat of privatisation raised by the Boris Johnson administration. However, it has come in for criticism of some plans to reduce costs.
It was recently announced that the number of episodes of The Andrew Neil Show would be reduced, and the political interview show would not return before the end of the year.
In a statement, regulator Ofcom commended Channel 4 on its performance, but warned it needed to focus on the future. “We now expect to see more detailed, longer-terms plans setting out how it proposes to meet the challenges and opportunities still ahead.
“These plans should take account of the forthcoming Media Bill – which will play a crucial part in supporting Channel 4’s digital transformation – and also articulate how Channel 4 will evolve its Future4 strategy beyond the existing 2025 targets.”
