Channel 4 partners with The TV Collective for a second Indie Accelerator

18 July 2022

           

• The Indie Accelerator focuses on nurturing ethnically diverse led indies which have not had a Channel 4 commission in the past five years.
• The Indie Accelerator will help bring on board new suppliers and bring new ethnically diverse voices, talent and leadership to the industry
• The programme includes executive coaching sessions, workshops and masterclasses
• The Indie Accelerator will support indies to become more successful and sustainable
• Each indie will be assigned to a Commissioning Editor to gain a better understanding of Channel 4’s commissioning processes and strategies
• The Indie Accelerator is part of Channel 4’s longer term commitment to support ethnically diverse led indies

 

Channel 4 today revealed details of its second Indie Accelerator which is specifically aimed at supporting eligible ethnically diverse led indies who have not had a Channel 4 linear commission in the past five years, with a view to helping strengthen their position within the channel and the industry as a whole.

Delivered by The TV Collective, the Indie Accelerator will support selected indies with a combination of leadership coaching and commissioner relationships, with the aim of strengthening their business.

Indies selected to join the accelerator will have one to one executive coaching sessions and they will also be invited to group coaching sessions with indie founder, television producer & format-creator, now top industry coach, Remy Blumenfeld. The Indie Accelerator will also offer a series of online masterclasses hosted by several key industry influencers and decision makers.

To be eligible, indies must have at least 25% of shareholders from an ethnically diverse background. Indies’ turnover must be less than £5m and they must not have had a Channel 4 linear commission in the past five years.

The successful applicants will be aligned with a Channel 4 Commissioning Editor to help them develop their slate of ideas and also help them better understand Channel 4’s commissioning processes.

Channel 4’s Director of Commissioning Operations Emma Hardy said: “We are delighted to be joining forces again with the TV Collective to deliver our Accelerator. A key part of Channel 4’s remit is to champion unheard voices and the Indie Accelerator will seek out ethnically diverse led indies that have not had a Channel 4 linear commission and help them to become more established in the industry.

“The new programme with business coaching and workshops is designed to develop new talent and increase leadership in the industry, elevating ethnically diverse led indies so they are well placed to secure more commissions and become thriving and more sustainable businesses.

“This is an important part of Channel 4’s Manifesto 4 Change which will ensure that The Black To Front Project continues to drive meaningful change in the TV sector.”

The TV Collective founder, Simone Pennant MBE, said: “I am very excited to partner with Channel 4 again on the Indie Accelerator. This important business opportunity supports existing Black, Asian and ethnic minority led companies to better understand the DNA of Channel 4 and grow their businesses.

“It is also an opportunity to introduce the channel to an array of exciting companies who have not worked with the broadcaster before or in the past five years; with the aim of diversifying the channel’s supply chain and the range of stories we see on screen.

“With so many lessons learnt during the first Accelerator, the new iteration of the Indie Accelerator really does illustrate Channel 4’s ongoing commitment to support Black, Asian and ethnic minority led indies - we are proud to partner on this project.”

This is the second iteration of the programme which is part of a two-year partnership with The TV Collective. The initiative has already resulted in commissions from a range of indies which include: Yorkshire Cop: Police, Racism and Me (Milk First) (pictured above); Dream Life for the Same Price (Afro Mic); Museum of Us (Uplands TV); and Jon & Lucy’s Christmas Sleepover (RangaBee).

The Indie Accelerator is part of a long-term Channel 4 strategic plan to support more ethnically diverse led production companies which includes a commitment that each Channel 4 Commissioning Editor should have at least one ethnically diverse led production company on their development slate.

The Black To Front Project launched with a ground-breaking day last September in which Channel 4’s entire programming schedule was fronted by Black talent and contributors across all genres and advertisements, with the aim of amplifying Black voices in TV to reflect the diverse and vibrant culture of the UK. A range of programmes were commissioned as part of Black to Front including Unapologetic, Crazy Rich… (w/t), The Big Breakfast, The Defenders (w/t) and Billionaires’ Paradise.

As a legacy of The Black to Front Project, Channel 4 have issued a manifesto for change which includes commitments to: work more effectively with ethnically diverse led indies; increase diverse senior leadership in the industry; deliver authentic diverse storytelling; and provide real progression for ethnically diverse off-screen talent.

A short webinar will take place on 20th July with the opportunity to ask questions about the programme. To register for the webinar, and for more details about the Indie Accelerator, visit the page on 4Producer - https://www.channel4.com/commissioning/indie-accelerator-2022

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About: The TV Collective (TVC)

Founded by Simone Pennant MBE, The TV Collective (TVC) is an online resource dedicated to promoting the creative and commercial value diversity adds to the British TV and film industries. Its community consists of an eclectic mix of maverick media professionals whose creativity has been informed by the richness of diverse experiences and backgrounds. From new entrants to execs and managing directors all eager and committed to contributing to an industry that truly reflects 21st century Britain.

The organisation continues to spotlight and showcase talent and their work through featured interviews, success stories and industry news via its website and social platforms. In addition to keeping talent connected through online meet ups, and live streaming events.

Established more than 15 years ago, TVC is a networking resource that coaches, champions and connects TV professionals with a Black, Asian or minority ethnic background to paid opportunities in the industry and to each other.

TVC has worked with Channel 5 and successfully diversified its supplier base, and as a result, the broadcaster is now working with nine new production companies led by people from Black, Asian or minority ethnic backgrounds.

More recently, TVC hosted a series of networking events which aimed to build better relationships between BBC Two commissioners and senior producers from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds.

Currently TVC is running its Breakthrough Leaders a programme in association with Fremantle which supports 50 senior Black, Asian and Minority professionals with eight years’ or more experience reach the next major step in their career.

Simone is a voting member of Bafta, and a juror for both the RTS and Broadcast Awards. In 2018 she was awarded an MBE for her services to the media industry.