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Channel 4

Channel 4 regional programming chief highlights 'out of London' importance

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By The Drum Team, Editorial

September 24, 2008 | 3 min read

With news that Channel 4 is to cut its budget by 15% in an ‘efficiency drive’ due to the downturn in advertising revenue, its head of regional programming has highlighted the importance of the future work to come from Scotland and the regions.

With news that Channel 4 is to cut its budget by 15% in an ‘efficiency drive’ due to the downturn in advertising revenue, its head of regional programming has highlighted the importance of the future work to come from Scotland and the regions.

Despite this he has admitted the regions and Scotland could well also feel the impact of the cuts, despite the move for more emphasis on production outside of London.

Stuart Cosgrove, head of programming (nations and the regions), said; “No one area of Channel 4 is being singled out or indeed protected. However, in our blueprint for the future Next on 4, a significant emphasis has been placed on our out of London production and the 4iP digital media fund. Both of which have prominence in Scotland.”

The media channel is to reduce its budgets by £50million this year, which will include a reduction in staff, while it’s programme spend will be cut by more than £25million this year.

It is understood that this could mean up to 150 jobs will go.

Just last week the company was told by The Broadcasting Commission to spend more in Scotland, while it has already said that it would look to create more production work outside of London.

Channel 4’s latest round of cost efficiencies has been prompted by a downturn in TV advertising in 2008 of up to 5%.

A further £50million in reductions will be made in 2009 as well.

In a statement, chief executive, Andy Duncan, said: “Channel 4 has outperformed its competitors in recent years but the economic downturn is now affecting the entire media industry. Our objective as a public organisation is to operate at break even while maximising creative investment. With revenues falling, we’ve no alternative but to cut costs. My particular regret is the impact of these job losses amongst our skilled and dedicated workforce.”

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