Channel 4 will fulfil its remit across its different platforms, relating the strengths of one to another.  All new business will be rooted in the strengths and purposes of the core channel.

E4 and E4.com will act as a test bed for new entertainment talent, developing shows that can transfer to the main channel.

E4.com will work with new producers and digital media companies to develop broadband content.  Over the course of 2001/2002, E4.com will develop at least three new content ideas to take new media talent into the television environment.

FilmFour Limited will enhance its role with the aim of becoming the leading British international film company.  To reinforce its ongoing commitment to new talent the company will further develop the FilmFour Lab, a unit dedicated to the development of creatively high-risk, signature, low-budget cinema.  It will further develop its Spirit Dance partnership initiative with the American actor/director Forest Whitaker to bring more black and Asian film talent to the cinema screen.

FilmFour Channel will aim to become the point of destination for the British film audience. The film buying strategy for FilmFour Channel will be planned in conjunction with the core channel.  In particular, FilmFour Channel will develop its new foreign language film channel with the aim of growing a new audience for world cinema in Britain.

FilmFour.com will develop broadband content including the streaming of short films likely to appeal to the FilmFour audience and will, in collaboration with FilmFour Lab, create online content for film and media education purposes.

Channel4.com will develop a digital animation zone and other new content zones.  It will aim to create at least one major multi-cultural content zone following the success of the “Kumbh Mela” website.

The Channel will develop its Interactive Television projects with a view to integrating interactivity into the fabric of television programming rather than as a supporting but separate service.

Annual Review

In its annual performance review, Channel 4 will address progress made in achieving these ambitions. We will evolve our strategy over time to ensure that we continue to fulfil our remit.