This section contains answers to some of the most frequently asked questions in this department. Please browse this page first if you have any questions on any section.
General
Q: How long should a proposal be and how should I send it?
A: 2-4 pages
A: 2-4 pages
Q: When is your commissioning season?
A: All year - we never close!
A: All year - we never close!
Q: Do I have to work within a large production company to get my idea commissioned?
A: No. All are welcome. We will team you with experienced people if necessary. We will either ask for more information or for you to come in for a meeting.
A: No. All are welcome. We will team you with experienced people if necessary. We will either ask for more information or for you to come in for a meeting.
Dispatches
Q: Do you want domestic investigations?
A: Yes - domestic investigations are Dispatches mainstay. But Dispatches also seeks proposals for foreign investigations . . We relish the challenge of difficult projects and high profile subject areas - eg recent programmes have investigated judges, The Royal Mail, asylum and hospital food production
A: Yes - domestic investigations are Dispatches mainstay. But Dispatches also seeks proposals for foreign investigations . . We relish the challenge of difficult projects and high profile subject areas - eg recent programmes have investigated judges, The Royal Mail, asylum and hospital food production
Q: What's your guide price?
A: It's driven by the subject. We'll film for two days or two years - depending what the story requires.
A: It's driven by the subject. We'll film for two days or two years - depending what the story requires.
Channel 4 News
Q: Does a Channel 4 News film always have to have a Channel 4 News reporter?
A: No. Not all pieces have to be reporter led anyway.
A: No. Not all pieces have to be reporter led anyway.
Q: How much do you pay for a news story?
A: We pay the direct production costs of a commission and then you get £400 or £350 per minute broadcast as a production fee.
A: We pay the direct production costs of a commission and then you get £400 or £350 per minute broadcast as a production fee.
Q: How do I submit an idea and will you steal it?
A: Send an email or fax outlining your story on approx one page of A4. If we're interested we'll come back to you for more. And no, we won't steal your idea but you have to be aware that, with a team of industrious reporters and producers toiling away full time, your idea could already be on our agenda.
A: Send an email or fax outlining your story on approx one page of A4. If we're interested we'll come back to you for more. And no, we won't steal your idea but you have to be aware that, with a team of industrious reporters and producers toiling away full time, your idea could already be on our agenda.
Q: What do we get out of submitting our idea to a news programme?
A: If you are commissioned, you see your idea on the screen within weeks. Your production is seen by our ever increasing audience and sometimes picked up internationally for broadcast and followed up in the broadsheet press. For many, it's a great opportunity to get commissioned by Channel 4. Our indies have won several awards in the past year such as New York Awards, RTS regionals, Amnesty and BEMA.
A: If you are commissioned, you see your idea on the screen within weeks. Your production is seen by our ever increasing audience and sometimes picked up internationally for broadcast and followed up in the broadsheet press. For many, it's a great opportunity to get commissioned by Channel 4. Our indies have won several awards in the past year such as New York Awards, RTS regionals, Amnesty and BEMA.
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