Channel 4 is planning to take majority stakes in third-party production companies as part of its plan to move into in-house production.
As the UK commercial broadcaster published its annual report on Wednesday, Channel 4 unveiled its Creative Investment Fund, which will back companies with commercial potential.
Jonathan Allan, Channel 4’s COO and incoming interim CEO, declined to reveal the value of the company’s indie investment war chest. Channel 4 has cash reserves of £111M ($150M).
Allan said the Creative Investment Fund would be an evolution of the long-standing Indie Growth Fund, which has taken small stakes in companies including Warp Films, which made Netflix hit Adolescence.
Allan said Channel 4 would “invest reasonably” in producers, but acknowledged that the company would not be able to compete with deep-pocketed rivals like ITV Studios.
He added that Channel 4 would be moving into production in a “gradual and carefully managed” way, starting with launching the unnamed in-house unit in 2026 as a distinct company. He would not disclose revenue projections.
Deadline revealed on Tuesday that Channel 4 has engaged Ibison, the executive search company run by former YMU talent agent Nicola Ibison, to find a production chief. The role will report to Allan.
Channel 4’s move into production is a significant step, signalling the end of its 40-year history as a network that greenlights all of its content from the independent production sector. The UK government removed Channel 4’s publisher broadcaster shackles in 2023 as part of a deal to keep the company in public hands.
The new in-house production boss will be expected to have relationships with UK broadcasters, streamers, and U.S. partners, underlining Channel 4’s ambition to make shows for third parties.
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