Channel 4 New Media Launches Mobile TV Channel

3 November 2005

Channel 4 New Media today announces the launch of its latest mobile service, a mobile TV channel.  For the first time viewers will be able to watch a channel dedicated to Channel 4 content whenever and where ever they want, at the press of a button on their mobile phone. 

Available to 3G subscribers on Vodafone and Orange networks, the mobile TV channel will initially feature a selection of popular Channel 4 shows such as Grand Designs, Brat Camp and Supernanny.  Full-length episodes of these programmes will be edited into two-hour blocks of programming linked using a combination of Channel 4 idents and voice-overs.  Updated on a daily basis, the programming blocks will look and feel exactly like Channel 4 and will be streamed on a continuous loop direct to 3G phones. 

Going forward New Media has commissioned a range of mobile specific content that will soon be available on the channel including tailored-to-mobile episodes of Channel 4 shows and specially commissioned content.  More Channel 4 programmes will be added to the service as the rights become available.

Channel 4's goal is to be a leading mobile content aggregator and this channel represents the first of several planned steps towards that goal.

Andy Taylor, Managing Director of Channel 4 New Media said: "Mobile content provides a huge opportunity for broadcasters and Channel 4 is determined to be one of the leaders in this area.  One of the most exciting things about the new channel is that it provides us with a strong platform for future mobile content such as bespoke mobile episodes of existing Channel 4 shows or new, specially commissioned content." 

Paul Whitehead, Head of Business Development of Channel 4 New Media added: "During Celebrity Big Brother short-clips from the programme were downloaded at a rate of over 50,000 per day, and live streaming of Big Brother 6 was incredibly popular, so we know a big appetite exists for compelling mobile content.  However, we are still learning how individuals want to interact with and consume mobile content.  The new mobile channel will provide a brilliant opportunity to increase our understanding of mobile TV's potential as well as providing viewers with a flexible and convenient way to access Channel 4 content even when they're on the move."

The service will initially be available to 3G subscribers to Vodafone and Orange.  Users can access the channel via Vodafone Live! with 3G and Orange World WAP portals.  The service will be offered free on Vodafone until the end of January 2006 and either free for three months for Orange Premier customers, or free for seven days then £10 per month for all other Orange customers.

Notes to Editors

From launch the mobile channel will include full-length episodes of Grand Designs, Supernanny, Brat Camp, A Place in the Sun, It's me or the Dog, Come Dine With Me, The City Gardener and Jump Britain.  Content will be updated daily and tailored clips of existing Channel 4 programming, alongside Channel 4 comedy and specially commissioned made-for-mobile content, will be added in the next few weeks.