Channel 4 unveils network highlights for winter 2010

12 November 2009

Channel 4 takes a fresh look at a diverse range of subjects this winter, offering new insights and different perspectives.

The channel celebrates the extraordinary success of Film 4's multi Oscar-winning Slumdog Millionaire in a season of programmes lifting the lid on India. With the network premiere of the film at its centre, the season includes a Dispatches special on the real Indian slumdogs, programmes featuring Kevin McCloud and Gordon Ramsay and a Secret Millionaire filmed entirely in India (see separate release for further details).

The beginning of life is examined in the busy maternity wards of Life Begins. Using the cutting edge technology developed for The Family, the multi-camera approach captures the detail of unfolding events, simultaneously telling stories from the point of view of mother, father and staff.

As the country looks toward a General Election in the spring of 2010, Channel 4 takes politicians to the people in Tower Block of Commons. Cameras follow four politicians as they swap the splendor of the House of Commons and their comfortable homes for four different council estates and tower blocks across the country. MPs featured include Mark Oaten, Austin Mitchell, Tim Loughton and Iain Duncan Smith.

The Bible: A History is a re-examination of arguably the most influential book ever written from an alternative perspective. The series explores the origins, ideas and influence of seven sections of the Scriptures, tracing how they came into existence and how they have shaped the world we live in today. Each film is presented by a prominent commentator and thinker: Howard Jacobson sets out to reclaim Creation from the creationists; Bettany Hughes demonstrates how the Bible continues to shape perceptions of gender; Rageh Omaar examines the Bible's political legacy in the Middle East; and Ann Widdecombe explores the Ten Commandments.

In Drama Oscar nominated actress and national treasure, Julie Walters, takes on the role of Mo Mowlam in Mo. This is a revealing portrait of a powerfully charismatic woman whose no-nonsense approach to politics helped achieve one of the most monumental landmarks in British history, the Good Friday Agreement.

In Comedy E4's Fonejacker, the BAFTA comedy award winner, is back but this time he's off the phone and in our midst in a brand new series, Fonejacker 3D. With the aid of clever disguises and elaborate prosthetics, Kayvan Novak becomes various characters who interact face to face with the general public.

Blitz Street is a science and history series presented by Tony Robinson. Seventy years on it explores the profound psychological phenomenon that was the ‘Blitz spirit' via the recreation of a typical row of 1940s terraced houses. The houses are subjected to a range of high explosives and incendiaries, similar to those used by the Luftwaffe, to give a new perspective on this period of British history.

Bloody Foreigners is a new series of drama documentaries highlighting the role played by foreigners at iconic moments and turning points in British history. Subjects include Britain's African Emperor, the Great Fire, the Battle of Britain and the Battle of Trafalgar.

Channel 4's flagship documentary strand, Cutting Edge, returns with a new run of distinctive films offering a snapshot of modern British life. Highlights include Base Jumping Britain, following one of Britain's most prolific base jumpers, Big Fat Gypsy Wedding (w/t), offering a rare insight into the world of 21st century Gypsy and Traveller weddings, and Leaving Home at Eight which follows two eight-year-olds as they embark on their first year at boarding school.

The First Cut strand for first time documentary directors features My Daughter Amy, a film on Mitch Winehouse, the father of Amy Winehouse, and Teen BNP, an attempt to understand what makes a young person want to join the British National Party.

This winter Channel 4 takes established brands to new places. In a three part series of How to Look Good Naked Gok Wan meets women living with low body confidence and a disability. Embarrassing Bodies extends its advice into the area of mental health and in a ‘Living With' strand takes an intimate look at conditions from Parkinson's to Cerebral Palsy. After the success of Embarrassing Teen Bodies in 2008, the doctors open the clinic exclusively to children in a four part Embarrassing Bodies: Kids.

A new six-part series, Jamie Does (w/t), follows Oliver on short trips to six very different destinations he's never visited before - Marrakesh, Athens, Venice, Andalucia, Stockholm and the French Pyrenees. Jamie gets under the skin of the location, meeting producers and food heroes, and immersing himself in the local food cultures of these very different destinations - as well as cooking key dishes from their distinctive cuisines.

And Jo Frost, one of Britain's best known parenting experts, is back to provide the UK's mums and dads with honest, insightful and no-nonsense advice, this time on the road in the Jo Frost Roadshow. In My Great Big Fat Diet (w/t) Anna Richardson encourages the UK to shed the inevitable extra pounds put on over the Christmas break.

The second series of Heston's Feasts follows celebrated chef Heston Blumenthal as he sets out on a gastronomic adventure to reinvent famous period and mythical feasts for the ultimate 21st century banquets.

In Entertainment 8 out of 10 Cats and Alan Carr Chatty Man return, along with a new peak time Friday night slot for Chris Moyles' Quiz Night.

And for the final time Celebrity Big Brother returns to Channel 4.

 

Digital Channels

Multi BAFTA award-winning drama Skins returns to E4 for its fourth series this winter. In The Cleveland Show Cleveland Brown, everyone's favourite soft-spoken neighbour from Family Guy, gets his own show, and hit new musical comedy series Glee, created by Ryan Murphy (Nip/Tuck), arrives on the channel.

More4 premieres the critically acclaimed legal drama The Good Wife, starring Julianna Margulies, and continue to showcase the best international documentaries in True Stories. The annual Crufts dog show screens over four nights in March where, alongside all the highlights from the show, programmes also explore the importance of health and welfare in pedigree dog breeding.

Channel 4 takes a fresh look at a diverse range of subjects this winter, offering new insights and different perspectives.

The channel celebrates the extraordinary success of Film 4's multi Oscar-winning Slumdog Millionaire in a season of programmes lifting the lid on India. With the network premiere of the film at its centre, the season includes a Dispatches special on the real Indian slumdogs, programmes featuring Kevin McCloud and Gordon Ramsay and a Secret Millionaire filmed entirely in India (see separate release for further details).

The beginning of life is examined in the busy maternity wards of Life Begins. Using the cutting edge technology developed for The Family, the multi-camera approach captures the detail of unfolding events, simultaneously telling stories from the point of view of mother, father and staff.

As the country looks toward a General Election in the spring of 2010, Channel 4 takes politicians to the people in Tower Block of Commons. Cameras follow four politicians as they swap the splendor of the House of Commons and their comfortable homes for four different council estates and tower blocks across the country. MPs featured include Mark Oaten, Austin Mitchell, Tim Loughton and Iain Duncan Smith.

The Bible: A History is a re-examination of arguably the most influential book ever written from an alternative perspective. The series explores the origins, ideas and influence of seven sections of the Scriptures, tracing how they came into existence and how they have shaped the world we live in today. Each film is presented by a prominent commentator and thinker: Howard Jacobson sets out to reclaim Creation from the creationists; Bettany Hughes demonstrates how the Bible continues to shape perceptions of gender; Rageh Omaar examines the Bible's political legacy in the Middle East; and Ann Widdecombe explores the Ten Commandments.

In Drama Oscar nominated actress and national treasure, Julie Walters, takes on the role of Mo Mowlam in Mo. This is a revealing portrait of a powerfully charismatic woman whose no-nonsense approach to politics helped achieve one of the most monumental landmarks in British history, the Good Friday Agreement.

In Comedy E4's Fonejacker, the BAFTA comedy award winner, is back but this time he's off the phone and in our midst in a brand new series, Fonejacker 3D. With the aid of clever disguises and elaborate prosthetics, Kayvan Novak becomes various characters who interact face to face with the general public.

Blitz Street is a science and history series presented by Tony Robinson. Seventy years on it explores the profound psychological phenomenon that was the ‘Blitz spirit' via the recreation of a typical row of 1940s terraced houses. The houses are subjected to a range of high explosives and incendiaries, similar to those used by the Luftwaffe, to give a new perspective on this period of British history.

Bloody Foreigners is a new series of drama documentaries highlighting the role played by foreigners at iconic moments and turning points in British history. Subjects include Britain's African Emperor, the Great Fire, the Battle of Britain and the Battle of Trafalgar.

Channel 4's flagship documentary strand, Cutting Edge, returns with a new run of distinctive films offering a snapshot of modern British life. Highlights include Base Jumping Britain, following one of Britain's most prolific base jumpers, Big Fat Gypsy Wedding (w/t), offering a rare insight into the world of 21st century Gypsy and Traveller weddings, and Leaving Home at Eight which follows two eight-year-olds as they embark on their first year at boarding school.

The First Cut strand for first time documentary directors features My Daughter Amy, a film on Mitch Winehouse, the father of Amy Winehouse, and Teen BNP, an attempt to understand what makes a young person want to join the British National Party.

This winter Channel 4 takes established brands to new places. In a three part series of How to Look Good Naked Gok Wan meets women living with low body confidence and a disability. Embarrassing Bodies extends its advice into the area of mental health and in a ‘Living With' strand takes an intimate look at conditions from Parkinson's to Cerebral Palsy. After the success of Embarrassing Teen Bodies in 2008, the doctors open the clinic exclusively to children in a four part Embarrassing Bodies: Kids.

A new six-part series, Jamie Does (w/t), follows Oliver on short trips to six very different destinations he's never visited before - Marrakesh, Athens, Venice, Andalucia, Stockholm and the French Pyrenees. Jamie gets under the skin of the location, meeting producers and food heroes, and immersing himself in the local food cultures of these very different destinations - as well as cooking key dishes from their distinctive cuisines.

And Jo Frost, one of Britain's best known parenting experts, is back to provide the UK's mums and dads with honest, insightful and no-nonsense advice, this time on the road in the Jo Frost Roadshow. In My Great Big Fat Diet (w/t) Anna Richardson encourages the UK to shed the inevitable extra pounds put on over the Christmas break.

The second series of Heston's Feasts follows celebrated chef Heston Blumenthal as he sets out on a gastronomic adventure to reinvent famous period and mythical feasts for the ultimate 21st century banquets.

In Entertainment 8 out of 10 Cats and Alan Carr Chatty Man return, along with a new peak time Friday night slot for Chris Moyles' Quiz Night.

And for the final time Celebrity Big Brother returns to Channel 4.

 

Digital Channels

Multi BAFTA award-winning drama Skins returns to E4 for its fourth series this winter. In The Cleveland Show Cleveland Brown, everyone's favourite soft-spoken neighbour from Family Guy, gets his own show, and hit new musical comedy series Glee, created by Ryan Murphy (Nip/Tuck), arrives on the channel.

More4 premieres the critically acclaimed legal drama The Good Wife, starring Julianna Margulies, and continue to showcase the best international documentaries in True Stories. The annual Crufts dog show screens over four nights in March where, alongside all the highlights from the show, programmes also explore the importance of health and welfare in pedigree dog breeding.

Channel 4 takes a fresh look at a diverse range of subjects this winter, offering new insights and different perspectives.

The channel celebrates the extraordinary success of Film 4's multi Oscar-winning Slumdog Millionaire in a season of programmes lifting the lid on India. With the network premiere of the film at its centre, the season includes a Dispatches special on the real Indian slumdogs, programmes featuring Kevin McCloud and Gordon Ramsay and a Secret Millionaire filmed entirely in India (see separate release for further details).

The beginning of life is examined in the busy maternity wards of Life Begins. Using the cutting edge technology developed for The Family, the multi-camera approach captures the detail of unfolding events, simultaneously telling stories from the point of view of mother, father and staff.

As the country looks toward a General Election in the spring of 2010, Channel 4 takes politicians to the people in Tower Block of Commons. Cameras follow four politicians as they swap the splendor of the House of Commons and their comfortable homes for four different council estates and tower blocks across the country. MPs featured include Mark Oaten, Austin Mitchell, Tim Loughton and Iain Duncan Smith.

The Bible: A History is a re-examination of arguably the most influential book ever written from an alternative perspective. The series explores the origins, ideas and influence of seven sections of the Scriptures, tracing how they came into existence and how they have shaped the world we live in today. Each film is presented by a prominent commentator and thinker: Howard Jacobson sets out to reclaim Creation from the creationists; Bettany Hughes demonstrates how the Bible continues to shape perceptions of gender; Rageh Omaar examines the Bible's political legacy in the Middle East; and Ann Widdecombe explores the Ten Commandments.

In Drama Oscar nominated actress and national treasure, Julie Walters, takes on the role of Mo Mowlam in Mo. This is a revealing portrait of a powerfully charismatic woman whose no-nonsense approach to politics helped achieve one of the most monumental landmarks in British history, the Good Friday Agreement.

In Comedy E4's Fonejacker, the BAFTA comedy award winner, is back but this time he's off the phone and in our midst in a brand new series, Fonejacker 3D. With the aid of clever disguises and elaborate prosthetics, Kayvan Novak becomes various characters who interact face to face with the general public.

Blitz Street is a science and history series presented by Tony Robinson. Seventy years on it explores the profound psychological phenomenon that was the ‘Blitz spirit' via the recreation of a typical row of 1940s terraced houses. The houses are subjected to a range of high explosives and incendiaries, similar to those used by the Luftwaffe, to give a new perspective on this period of British history.

Bloody Foreigners is a new series of drama documentaries highlighting the role played by foreigners at iconic moments and turning points in British history. Subjects include Britain's African Emperor, the Great Fire, the Battle of Britain and the Battle of Trafalgar.

Channel 4's flagship documentary strand, Cutting Edge, returns with a new run of distinctive films offering a snapshot of modern British life. Highlights include Base Jumping Britain, following one of Britain's most prolific base jumpers, Big Fat Gypsy Wedding (w/t), offering a rare insight into the world of 21st century Gypsy and Traveller weddings, and Leaving Home at Eight which follows two eight-year-olds as they embark on their first year at boarding school.

The First Cut strand for first time documentary directors features My Daughter Amy, a film on Mitch Winehouse, the father of Amy Winehouse, and Teen BNP, an attempt to understand what makes a young person want to join the British National Party.

This winter Channel 4 takes established brands to new places. In a three part series of How to Look Good Naked Gok Wan meets women living with low body confidence and a disability. Embarrassing Bodies extends its advice into the area of mental health and in a ‘Living With' strand takes an intimate look at conditions from Parkinson's to Cerebral Palsy. After the success of Embarrassing Teen Bodies in 2008, the doctors open the clinic exclusively to children in a four part Embarrassing Bodies: Kids.

A new six-part series, Jamie Does (w/t), follows Oliver on short trips to six very different destinations he's never visited before - Marrakesh, Athens, Venice, Andalucia, Stockholm and the French Pyrenees. Jamie gets under the skin of the location, meeting producers and food heroes, and immersing himself in the local food cultures of these very different destinations - as well as cooking key dishes from their distinctive cuisines.

And Jo Frost, one of Britain's best known parenting experts, is back to provide the UK's mums and dads with honest, insightful and no-nonsense advice, this time on the road in the Jo Frost Roadshow. In My Great Big Fat Diet (w/t) Anna Richardson encourages the UK to shed the inevitable extra pounds put on over the Christmas break.

The second series of Heston's Feasts follows celebrated chef Heston Blumenthal as he sets out on a gastronomic adventure to reinvent famous period and mythical feasts for the ultimate 21st century banquets.

In Entertainment 8 out of 10 Cats and Alan Carr Chatty Man return, along with a new peak time Friday night slot for Chris Moyles' Quiz Night.

And for the final time Celebrity Big Brother returns to Channel 4.

 

Digital Channels

Multi BAFTA award-winning drama Skins returns to E4 for its fourth series this winter. In The Cleveland Show Cleveland Brown, everyone's favourite soft-spoken neighbour from Family Guy, gets his own show, and hit new musical comedy series Glee, created by Ryan Murphy (Nip/Tuck), arrives on the channel.

More4 premieres the critically acclaimed legal drama The Good Wife, starring Julianna Margulies, and continue to showcase the best international documentaries in True Stories. The annual Crufts dog show screens over four nights in March where, alongside all the highlights from the show, programmes also explore the importance of health and welfare in pedigree dog breeding.