UK’s Channel 4 to slash workforce in bid to go digital-first by 2030
British publicly-owned, commercially-funded television network Channel 4 has announced a five-year strategy to become a digital-first, streaming-focused service.
The ‘Fast Forward’ strategy will “reshape the organisation and accelerate its transformation into an agile, genuinely digital-first public service streamer by 2030,” according to the network. It will also see Channel 4 shed 18% of its workforce, approximately 200 roles.
Channel 4 is the same station that Australian comedian Adam Hills’ presents the late night TV program, The Last Leg, which is set to kick off its 30th season in a few weeks.
To “stay competitive and invest in digital priorities”, the station will cut costs, “particularly out of legacy activities” and move from its London base, with 600 roles based outside the city by the end of 2025.
The network is also “proposing to close small linear channels that no longer deliver revenues or public value at scale”, including the Box channels, which will be shuttered this year.
Channel 4 CEO Alex Mahon, said: “Channel 4 was designed to be ahead of the curve and has never stood still.
“The rate of change in our market is only speeding up. Our new strategy will accelerate our digital transformation – building on 2020’s Future4 strategy and our founding public service principles – so Channel 4 remains a trusted, disruptive and distinctive brand into the 2030s, offering brilliant shows that people love and that matter.
“We are genuinely excited about the future. Channel 4 means something to British people – we are trusted, we are a beacon for quality, we stand out for fresh and exciting ideas that matter and will be even more important in a crowded landscape of global content.
“While getting ourselves into the right shape for the future is without doubt the right action to take, it does involve making difficult decisions. I am very sad that some of our excellent colleagues will lose their jobs because of the changes ahead. But the reality of the rapid downshift in the UK economy and advertising market demand that we must change structurally.
“As we shift our centre of gravity from linear to digital our proposals will focus cost reductions on legacy activity. In preparing for a new digital-first future, I hope we can make Channel 4 simpler – for staff and our suppliers – and create a more efficient, inclusive and high performing organisation.”
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