'A Political Economy Analysis of Channel Four in the Digital Age: Strategies, the Independent Producers Market and Commissioning Processes'

Abstract
The United Kingdom has undergone one of the most radical changes, of its television networks and distribution channels; than any other developed television market. According to Georgina Born, the shift in structural context of production and distribution relations, has being more dramatic in the multi-platform market than any other markets before it (Born). In the UK for example; there has been rapid growth and penetration in the multichannel television market. The country now enjoys one of the highest levels of digital television penetrations, than any other nation. Channel Four the UK’s fourth channel, not only makes headlines over some of the programmes it shows; but also over its future as public service broadcaster (PSB). The multichannel television transformation that has being shaping Britain’s digital landscape over the past decade, has posed some significant challenges for the Channel Four Corporation.

It is the intention of this work to uncover some of the strategic decisions made at Channel Four, in hindsight; as to why the Corporation is now in fear of losing its PSB identity, unless it receives around £150 million in funding by 2012. Some critics have argued that many of the changes Michael Jackson made to improve Corporation’s visibility and versatility in the new digital environment, has damaged its core values and has left the Corporation fragmented. Others have argued that, it is, their earlier practices involving the use of preferred suppliers which has hurt the Corporation. Particularly, from strong critics such as Simon Deakin and Stephen Pratten, who argues that; such practices and their commonplace in the market, propitiates an unfair systems that calls for a level playing field and fair competition (Deakin and Pratten, 2000). It is from such arguments; this document was produced to provide a deeper understanding of some the problems behind Channel Four. It uses a wide range of sources, intended to answer some of the key research questions this document proposes. One of which being; why is Channel Four future as a PSB in doubt? Another being; does the Corporation use a list of preferred suppliers? And; how is the Corporation perceived in the marketplace? Perhaps one of the best methodology approaches to answering such questions derives from political economy. David Hesmondhalgh is well known for his studies of cultural industries and his use of political economy methods, because of its usefulness in understanding the economical and institutional structure of a media organisation. In-terms of ownership patterns, changes in technology, the way economic and institutional factors influence how media companies operates and the contents that they show. Such approach was revered to being the key method, in providing the answers from the many works that was reviewed; from theorist and industry professionals, in building a critical case study analysis of Channel Four in the digital age. The case study is delivered in two chapters, the first chapter discuses the Annan Committee report behind C4 and the birth of the supply market. It then proceeds to study the independent production sector, underlining the significant impact the publisher broadcast model (C4), has had on the programme supply market since its creation. Concluding on the subject of preferred suppliers; as to the concerns of producers, who the publisher broadcaster model was intended to liberate, as argued by the Annan Committee and other bodies. Chapter two provides an analysis of the Corporation’s commissioning procedures, including its ‘Code of Practice’ policy, and some of the benefits of Channel Four as a publisher broadcaster. Before considering, whether; much of the Corporation’s problems are due to the experimental nature of its remit. (By: Richard Wilson)