Channel 4

Since its launch in 1982, Channel 4 has continued to pride itself on innovation, creativity and diversity. Its continuing commit to being ahead of the curve helps it maintain its position as one of the most respected British Media brands with audiences of all ages – and it’s ability to talk to teenagers frankly and honestly continues to rise in value.

In the past, Channel 4 Education is known for taking a bold approach to learning - commissioning such titles as Batty Man, Crip on a Trip, and Teen Taboos, which explore real issues such as sex, drugs, culture and disability, that aim to tackle subjects sometimes missing from the more formal curriculum, as well as offering new approaches to traditional subjects such as history.

In 2008 Channel 4 embarked on a new strategy to reach and engage with 14 – 19 year olds on their own terms shifting the focus of the commissioning approach from solely linear TV programmes, to innovative cross-platform projects that encourage a two-way participation, and offer the chance to stimulate conversation around learning experiences, rather than to simply dictate learning.

More than just ‘TV on the web’ C4 continues to employ creative and distinctive ways of offering educative content to teens, focusing on issues derived from their needs and desires that may be outside the more formal education curriculum.

This method had allowed the department to cover areas that build learning experiences around identity, self-esteem, and relationships; how this translates to teens’ life online, and the wider issues around digital literacy and security. Other topics have included democracy, emotional resilience, and modern sciences – with upcoming projects around financial literacy, death and attraction.

Channel 4 aims to create communities around these subjects which have a strong educative ambition, and that actively encourage sharing so teens will want to use and come back to these spaces in their own time. Further, the projects should be picked up by education professionals as support to PSHE and citizenship teaching, and to be directly mapped on to areas of the curriculum, such as history and science. The success of the projects continue to rise on a national and international scale – with admiration and respect from professionals, peers and, most importantly teenagers themselves.