Spirit Studios joins Channel 4’s Indie Growth Fund

7 October 2021

Channel 4 today announced that Spirit Studios is the latest independent production company to join its Indie Growth Fund.

Spirit Studios, founded by Peter Cowley and Matt Campion, creates and distributes award-winning original unscripted and scripted programming, podcasts and branded content. Spirit also owns and operates a portfolio of digital and social media channels including the global mental health movement #IAMWHOLE.

Spirit Studios’ original programming includes ‘The Stand Up Sketch Show’ for ITV (winner of ‘Best Comedy’ at the International Format Awards); ‘BAMOUS’ for BBC, ‘The Whole Truth’, ‘First Impressions’, ‘Trigger Happy’ for Channel 4 and ’Comedy Against Living Miserably’ for Dave/UKTV.

Its growing network of podcasts include: ‘Private Parts’ with Jamie Laing’, ‘Homo Sapiens’ with Alan Cumming and Chris Sweeney and ‘Oti Mabuse’s Rhythm of Life’, as well as a number of commissioned shows for BBC Sounds, Audible, Spotify and Red Bull.

Caroline Murphy, Head of Channel 4’s Indie Growth Fund, said: “Matt and Peter have built an incredibly multi-faceted company which covers an amazingly broad spectrum of digital and linear media.

“Their values align with so much we hold dear at Channel 4 and I know that their passion, vision and creativity coupled with support from the Indie Growth Fund will help Spirit Studios soar to even greater success.”

Peter Cowley, CEO and co-founder of Spirit Studios, said: “This is a significant moment in Spirit’s journey and we’re thrilled to have Channel 4 help us scale our businesses, as we continue to disrupt the industry on our journey to become a powerhouse indie of the future.”

Co-founder and Creative Director Matt Campion, known for creating award-winning television and digital formats for broadcasters and brands, also founded the global movement #IAMWHOLE, challenging the stigma around mental health in young people.

“Our ethos at Spirit is the ‘Funny & Feeling’ which is the focus of our creative thinking” said Matt. “This ensures we produce content that is not only highly entertaining, but also drives our mission and purpose.”

The addition of Spirit Studios takes the current portfolio of companies in the Channel 4 IGF to 16, with eight companies having joined since 2020.

 

About the Indie Growth Fund

Led by Head of Fund Caroline Murphy, Channel 4’s Indie Growth Fund provides additional support to the UK independent creative sector by investing in UK-based SMEs, taking minority stakes to help them to grow their business to the next stage. The Fund’s future strategy is focused on prioritising investment in the Nations and Regions, diverse-led and digital businesses across the UK.

About Spirit Studios

Spirit Studios is a purpose-driven content business on a mission to effect change through entertainment and storytelling. Creating and distributing ‘Content With Spirit’, their TV, digital, audio and branded output aims to positively impact people’s lives through entertainment.

The company’s mental health campaign #IAMWHOLE was launched in 2016 to help young people to speak out, seek help and get support https://www.whole.org.uk/

In addition to their TV output, Spirit operates a portfolio of digital brands & social content channels including #IAMWHOLE and global conservation brand Lion Whisperer TV https://www.spirit-studios.com/