Channel 4 renews ITN contract for Channel 4 News until the end of 2026

17 April 2023

Channel 4 has confirmed today that it has renewed its contract with ITN to supply Channel 4 News until December 2026. 

The deal ensures that ITN’s award-winning Channel 4 News bulletins will remain at the heart of the Channel 4 schedule, delivering on its remit to cover UK and international stories and investigations, to demonstrate innovation and to appeal to a culturally diverse audience. 

ITN has held the contract for 40 years with the Channel 4 News programme one of only two programmes that have been on air continuously since Channel 4 started broadcasting in 1982. 

Channel 4 News editor Esme Wren said: “It’s fantastic that Channel 4 has recognised the strength and dedication of the whole team delivering Channel 4 News night after night on TV as well as across digital platforms in what has been a tremendously busy, unrelenting news cycle. From the war in Ukraine to the turmoil of UK politics and the cost-of-living crisis including numerous strikes, we aim to provide a comprehensive and alternative viewpoint reflecting voices across the nation.” 

Channel 4 is investing heavily in a new Leeds studio for the programme as part of its increased commitment to nations and regions coverage and has recently appointed a dedicated team in Leeds who will sit at the heart of a digital and data-led strategy. They include data correspondent and presenter Ciaran Jenkins, communities editor Darshna Soni, deputy head of home news, Sally Chesworth and head of regions, Sunita Bhatti. 

Louisa Compton, Head of News and Current Affairs and Specialist Factual and Sport said: “We are delighted to confirm that, after 40 years, ITN will continue to provide first class news coverage for C4.  This multi-year deal is as a direct result of them providing outstanding delivery of their important remit to provide in-depth, unbiased, high-quality reportage and investigations. The period that this contract covers will see the Leeds permanent newsroom open, an expansion of our digital and FactCheck services as well as the continued exemplary journalism and analysis that our audiences have come to expect.” 

Rachel Corp, ITN CEO said: “This is a huge vote of confidence in the Channel 4 News team who continue to produce outstanding journalism across a range of platforms.  Whether it’s ground-breaking investigations, eye-witness journalism – including the exceptional BATFA-nominated coverage from the frontline in Ukraine – or the run of recent, headline-grabbing exclusives, this is an unstoppable newsroom delivering for domestic and global audiences. With a core team of established presenters and correspondents alongside exciting new hires and a focus on digital and data, the team are going from strength to strength under Esme’s leadership.” 

Scoops last year included an interview with former deputy chief whip Anne Milton concerning allegations about Sir Gavin Williamson’s behaviour, which was immediately followed by Williamson’s resignation from government.  

The programme also interviewed former head of counter terrorism Neil Basu where he talked about racism, immigration and “credible” threats to the Duchess of Sussex. Meanwhile key global stories included Secunder Kermani’s on-the -ground reports during the tense elections in Brazil and Jamal Osman gaining unprecedented access to extremist group Al Shabaab.  

Channel 4 News is also seeing record numbers across all digital platforms. Last year was Channel 4 News' biggest year ever on digital in terms of viewership, with over 2 billion 'minutes-viewed' across platforms. Journalism in and about Ukraine dominated and it caused saw huge growth on YouTube where Channel 4 News now have 2.5 million followers.

Meanwhile on TikTok,C4 News has grown from 25,000 to 500,000 followers in a little over a year, reaching large young audiences and receiving 80 million views there in February alone, with a focus on on-the-ground reporting and newsgathering for the Turkey-Syria earthquake story. 

***ENDS***

 

About Channel 4

Channel 4 exists to create change through entertainment. Publicly owned yet commercially funded, Channel 4 generates significant and sustainable cultural, economic and social impact across the UK – at no cost to the taxpayer.

The broadcaster’s distinctive remit is set by Parliament, and it has a role to represent unheard voices, challenge with purpose and reinvent entertainment. For 40 years, it has been a British success story, engaging generation after generation of young people.

Through a unique publisher-broadcaster model, Channel 4 commissions its content from the UK independent production sector. Working with around 300 creative companies every year, Channel 4 makes a major contribution to the local, regional and national economy, creating and supporting thousands of jobs and businesses across the country.

In 2020, Channel 4 launched its Future4 strategy to become a digital-first public service media company and to continue to deliver significant impact for UK audiences and investment into the UK creative economy.

Across its bases in London, Leeds, Manchester, Bristol and Glasgow, Channel 4 is turbocharging its efforts to find, nurture and develop talent across the UK. Through its training and development initiative 4Skills, Channel 4 is opening up opportunities in broadcasting, with a particular focus on disadvantaged young people, and addressing skills gaps across the Nations and Regions.

Channel 4 has the UK’s biggest free streaming service, All 4, plus 11 television channels including: Channel 4, E4, E4 Extra, More4, Film4, 4Seven and The Box Plus Network. Through Film4 Productions, Channel 4 also invests in British filmmakers to huge critical acclaim, producing 37 Oscar wins and 84 BAFTA wins in its history.

 

About ITN 

ITN is an independent production company with over 67 years’ experience in public service broadcasting and is renowned for being able to deliver journalism of the highest standard across all output. ITN’s business is made up of seven distinct divisions – Business, Education, Newsrooms (ITV News, Channel 4 News and 5 News), News Production, Productions, Post Production, and Sport – with output ranging from award-winning factual content for major brands, digital platforms and global streamers including Netflix and Amazon and international broadcasters; a vast live sport operation; award-winning news programmes for ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5; respected live debate programmes; education programming; shortform content and hybrid events for charities and businesses; while ITN’s 60-edit suite facility supports every facet of video and audio post-production. In addition, the ITN Archive features more than a million video clips of iconic news footage from ITN’s first broadcasts in 1955 to the present day.