Channel 4 expands news offering with digital news podcasts for a Gen Z audience

Channel 4 today announced two new podcasts that build on the broadcaster’s reputation for trusted, fact-checked journalism and its strong connection with younger audiences. Untangled fronted by Stacey Dooley and Ben Zand and A News Thing hosted by the comedians of A Comedy Thing by Channel 4, will offer young audiences duly impartial and fact-checked response to the week’s biggest news stories.

The launches follow the publication in January of Channel 4’s study, Gen Z: Trends, Truth and Trust which highlighted the scale of the challenges facing Gen Z in sourcing trusted news, including that young people have more confidence in social media posts from friends than established journalism.

Commissioned following this research which uncovered concern about misinformation and lack of trust in news sources, the podcasts will bring comedy and conversation to viewers, providing weekly reputable and regulated round ups of topical events on YouTube and Spotify. 

A News Thing is an entertaining and enlightening weekly review of the news. Comedian Michael Odewale is joined by a selection of A Comedy Thing by Channel 4 regulars, including Finlay Christie and Dan Tiernan, along with other brilliant talent from the UK comedy circuit. Together they dissect the week’s biggest and most talked-about stories across the media and online. 

Untangled is a new weekly current affairs podcast fronted by award-winning journalists Stacey Dooley (Rape on Trial, Growing Up Gypsy) and Ben Zand (The Toxic World of Perfect Looks: Untold and The Secret World of Incels: Untold). The pair will explore the headlines at the top of our social media feeds, bringing listeners clarity, warmth and context rather than spin or soundbites. Whether it’s a major breaking story or an under-reported issue, Untangled helps listeners understand not just what’s happening, but why it matters – cutting through the noise and making sense of the world for a generation that feels overwhelmed by traditional news.”

Louisa Compton, Head of News and Current Affairs, Specialist Factual and Sport, Channel 4 said, “Young audiences are drowning in an online world of disinformation, divisive and toxic views - as a result they’re hungry for informed, fact checked and reliable information to help them make sense of the world and these pods will help them do that in very different ways. We’re delighted to bring Stacey Dooley to C4 and think she and Ben, who both carry a wealth of reporting experience, will prove an audience favourite” 

Sacha Khari, Head of Digital Commissioning, Channel 4 said, “These two brilliantly distinct but equally vital vodcasts mark a powerful collaboration between Channel 4’s award-winning Current Affairs and Digital commissioning teams, working with outstanding creative talent both on and off screen. We’re combining our expertise and trusted values to reach young audiences with content that’s smart, fact-checked, entertaining and genuinely relevant in today’s digital world.”

Stacey Dooley said, “There’s so much happening in the world, it can feel hard to know what really matters or who to trust. With Untangled, we’re hoping to make sense of it all – to have open, honest conversations about the stories everyone’s talking about, without it feeling overwhelming or heavy. It’s about curiosity and compassion.”

Ben Zand added, “We wanted to make something that helps people get to grips with the biggest stories without feeling overwhelmed by them. And most importantly, to really focus on the impact of the human beings at the heart of these stories. Untangled is about slowing things down and having reasonable, honest conversations in a world that feels increasingly polarised. We’re aiming for curiosity over conflict. It’s about curiosity and connection. We want listeners to come away feeling like they’ve actually understood the story, not just scrolled past it.” 

A News Thing and Untangled were both commissioned for Channel 4 by Charlie Hyland, Digital Commissioner, with Sacha Khari the outgoing Head of Digital Commissioning, and Louisa Compton, Head of News and Current Affairs, Specialist Factual and Sport. A News Thing is produced by Strong Watch Studios, which drops on A Comedy Thing by Channel 4's YouTube channel soon. Untangled is produced by Zandland, and premieres on Channel 4 Documentaries YouTube channel and Spotify on Wednesday 22 October at 6am.