Channel 4 has always brought viewers what can be called the 'unfamiliar'. It seems to be this quality that the channel is relying on as a justification for its continued existence and financial backing - and which has won it much acclaim historically. However, the 'unfamiliar' content found in Channel 4's programmes once represented that which encouraged a viewer to question his or her own boundaries and seek to expand them. But Channel 4 now represents the 'unfamiliar' almost exclusively as a collusive (and often cynical) prompt to viewers to reinforce their existing boundaries and seek to contract them. Channel 4's 'unfamiliar' now relies on anything which is 'less' than the viewer - whether the lack is a physical, emotional or psychological one (represented by a never-ending array of freaks, criminals, immature adults and the materially greedy) and this sadly demonstrates the station's dwindling interest in meeting the aspiring curiosity of an audience in the way it once did.

Although i watch very little television i do watch your diet and health related programmes. I find them both enlightening and interesting, but i come away feeling so fed up. I am 47 yrs (going on 22)female, who has just qualified as a fitness instructor. I am at present taking a diet & nutrition advisory course along with a gym insturctors course and in May taking a Core Stability and advanced course. I read so many health mag and articals, and am a member on 'spark people' and although i eat approx, on average, 1400 cal per day, and work out (CV - 6hrs p/w) resistance 3hrs p/week, i still am unable to get my body fat down or lose inches of my waist. I hired a personal trainer but he seemed to know less then me, so that didn't last long. I feel there are millions upon millions of people out there like me, who want to make changes, who are willing to do what it takes, but with all of our research and contridictory advice from places, really don't know where to go next.