Channel 4 has reported a three-fold year-on-year increase in UK viewing of full episodes of TV shows on YouTube in the first quarter of 2024 and its made-for-social network Channel 4.0.
As part of its Fast Forward strategy announced earlier this year, Channel 4 committed to doubling all social views by 2030, including increasing the amount of content on YouTube.
Documentaries including 60 Days on The Estates (which hit 1.9 million views in the first quarter) plus soap Hollyoaks drove a trebling of Channel 4’s YouTube full episode audience. Social-first creators such as Nella Rose and Harry Pinero drove similar view growth to its made-for-social network Channel 4.0 in Q1.
Views of full episodes of Channel 4 programming on YouTube increased +200% year on year in Q1, from 7.6m to 23m.
Full episode views of Channel 4 documentaries on YouTube including The Push: Murder On The Cliff and To Catch A Copper were among the most watched Channel 4 shows on YouTube. The most viewed full episode on YouTube was The Kidnap Of Angel Lynn, with more than 1.1 million views in Q1.
Channel 4.0 saw a 242% rise of its UK views in Q1 to 25m views. Channel 4.0 launched on YouTube in 2022 and on TikTok and Instagram in 2023, focussing on formats led by content creators. Worst In Class, where Harry Pinero takes A-List digital talent back to school netted 5 million views in Q1 across series 1 and 2.
EU invests €25m in Together fund to back European producers
The European Investment Fund (EIF) has invested €25 million in Together, a new French fund managed by Axio Capital that aims to back European independent production companies.
EBU launches Spotlight fact-checking network
The European Broadcasting Union has launched Eurovision News Spotlight, a fact-checking network to help public service media in Europe to counter online disinformation.
John Malone to become Chair Emeritus of Warner Bros Discovery
Media mogul and cable TV pioneer John Malone has decided not to seek re-election to the board of Warner Bros Discovery and will instead take on the role of Chairman Emeritus.
LaLiga names HBS and NVP as broadcast partners
Spain’s LaLiga football competition has selected HBS (Host Broadcast Services) and NVP to handle media production for its Primera and Segunda Division matches for five years from the start of the 2025-26 season.
Netflix tests new AI search engine powered by OpenAI
Netflix is testing new search technology that is powered by OpenAI, according to a Bloomberg report.
