How to Submit Ideas
Proposals should offer a clear outline of the programme or series and should not be longer than 500 words. You should submit your proposal using the online proposal submission system which you can access through this site - go to 'Submit your Proposal' on the main navigation. You do not have to include a budget with your initial proposal, but you should include the likely producers/directors if you can. It is helpful if you are aware of the Channel 4 schedule and where you think your idea would work. Please also be sure to have read the commissioning briefs in the 'Commissioning' section of this site before you submit a proposal - the brief will help you determine who is the most appropriate commissioning editor to send your idea to, and will also provide you with an idea of what they are and are not looking for.
When sending in your proposal, please make it clear if you are sending your proposal to several commissioning editors or to E4 and Interactive as well. If you have not previously worked for Channel 4, it also helps to include in your introduction a little bit of information about programmes you have been involved in making before (including you role on those productions) and a company profile.
Encouraging Diversity
All proposals sent to Channel 4 should include a paragraph explaining how the idea and production might fulfil the channel's multicultural requirements. This might include the subject matter of the programme, the contributors, the onscreen talent or the production team.
We are keen to encourage diversity both onscreen and in production. In the 'Commissioning' section, under 'Commissioning Management' you will find some information outlining the Channel's various Cultural Diversity initiatives. Under 'Resources' you will also find a link to the Diversity directory which is designed to help you find contributors for programmes.
Contact Ade Rawcliffe for further information »
Representation of Disability
Disabled people should be employed across all programmes both on screen and off. Try to use disabled contributors like any other contributors - most go through the same life experiences as non-disabled people, their lives/characters are not wholly dictated by their impairments. Please also consider disabled actors for roles not specifically written as disabled, and employ disabled production staff on all programmes - not just films about disability. The disability database (www.channel4.com/fourall) holds details of over 600 disabled people - please use it to find cast, crew or contributors. More advice and information can be obtained from Alison Walsh (Editorial Manager, Disability) on 020 7306 8125
Nations and Regions
Channel 4 is committed to strengthening production from Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the English regions. By licence, thirty percent of our programme budget is spent outside London. We believe that this target is an opportunity to secure programmes which reflect the diversity of life across the UK.
We work with production companies across the nations & regions to encourage them to be outward-looking and ambitious in their aspirations. Our 'Creative Cities' strategy is the collective name for Channel 4's programme of activities throughout the regional cities of the UK, a key component of which is working closely with other partners, such as national and regional development agencies, to lever further funding for creativity and production outside the M25.
Theme Nights, Seasons and Clusters
Channel 4 continues to commission a small number of theme nights, seasons and clusters through the year. Theme nights are usually on Saturdays, and these need to have a strong popular idea - as in the Simpsons launch night. Ideas should be sent to the relevant commissioning editor(s).
Seasons or clusters consist of three or four related programmes aired over a week or fortnight. The most successful seasons (for example Adoption on Trial or Dyslexia) have a very strong core proposition and very focussed programmes. Simon Dickson commissions Education and Health ideas, and other season proposals should be sent to the relevant commissioning editor(s). There are only a couple of seasons a year.
Independents often ask us to publicise our potential seasons and theme nights. We can't. Firstly the ideas are often the property of a particular company, and secondly we do not want other channels to know what is being planned.
Co-Production
Channel 4 co-produces a wide range of programmes with overseas broadcasters every year. It executes those co-production deals through its global rights exploitation arm 4Rights. If a programme requires additional funding in the form of co-production finance, the producer will need to approach 4Rights (or another distribution organisation) to seek co-production partners on their behalf, or will need to source co-production finance themselves.
Once co-production has been secured, the producer and commissioning editor work in partnership to ensure that editorial and delivery requirements are met, and that the co-producer is satisfied. Channel 4 regularly co-produces with US networks such as PBS, Discovery Channel, The Learning Channel, The History Channel and HBO and other major overseas broadcasters. The most active co-production genres at Channel 4 are science, history, documentaries and arts.
