A final decision on Channel 4’s recently announced ‘4 All the UK’ Nations and Regions strategy will be reached by the 1st October.
The approval process for the strategy, which marks a major new commitment from Channel 4 to significantly increase its Nations and Regions content spend, will take place over the course of September before a final decision is made and cities are notified.
Channel 4 will move to a multi-site operating model, creating a new National HQ and two new smaller creative hubs in the Nations and Regions, in 2019. 300 Channel 4 jobs will be based in the Nations and Regions and the intention is to grow this further over time.
Channel 4 executive board member and chief commercial officer Jonathan Allan has lead executive responsibility, working closely with CEO Alex Mahon, for delivering the 4 All the UK strategy – including leading the pitch process for the new creative hub locations.
The largest of the creative hubs will be known as Channel 4’s National HQ – and will regularly host Channel 4 executive and board meetings.
This National HQ will be home to a new studio, with the potential for it to be a base for daily programmes, and a new digital production unit.
In partnership with ITN, three new Channel 4 News bureaux will be established, with one becoming a major hub with a studio, digital and commissioning centre, tripling the number of jobs based in the Nations and Regions by 2020.
The broadcaster will retain its Horseferry Road office, but will reduce its London footprint with space in the building becoming a new drop-in workspace for use by Nations and Regions indies and creative companies building their business with clients in the capital.
