Six indies join Channel 4 and TV Collective Indie Accelerator programme

7 October 2022

 

Six indies join Channel 4 and TV Collective Indie Accelerator programme

• After a competitive application process six indies have been selected to take part in Channel 4 and The TV Collective’s second Indie Accelerator programme.

• The successful indies are: Miran Media, Ratchet, Acclaimed Content, Project Must Entertainment, Daddy’s SuperYacht Productions and Ten66 Television.

• They will each be assigned a Channel 4 Commissioning Editor who will work with them to share insights on the commissioning process, and they will receive top level leadership coaching co-ordinated by the TV Collective.

• The Indie Accelerator is part of a long-term Channel 4 strategic plan to support more ethnically diverse led production companies secure commissions from Channel 4, and in the wider industry.

Channel 4 and The TV Collective have today announced the six successful companies who will take part in the second Indie Accelerator Programme.

The successful organisations are Miran Media (Oxford), Ratchet, (London), Acclaimed Content (Birmingham), Project Must Entertainment (London), Daddy’s SuperYacht Productions (London and Newcastle) and Ten66 Television (Hastings).

The accelerator programme - launched last year - was set up in partnership with The TV Collective to form a new approach in working with more production companies where the main shareholders, the leading decision makers or the creative leaders comprise those from a Black, Asian and ethnic minority  background.  

Through the Indie Accelerator the companies will get top level leadership coaching lead by Industry Coach Remy Blumenfeld, as well as being assigned a Channel 4 Commissioning Editor to work with throughout the year, who will help them develop their slate of ideas and advise them how to navigate Channel 4’s commissioning processes

Naomi Sesay, Channel 4’s Head of Creative Diversity said “The Indie Accelerator is a vital part of our commitment to ensuring that diversity is integral to commissioning, and we are pleased to be working with The TV Collective again in this second iteration of the programme. The selected indies all bring talent and originality to the table, and we’re excited to start working with them and supporting their journey to become thriving and more sustainable businesses.”

The TV Collective founder, Simone Pennant MBE, said “It was almost impossible choosing just six companies from the near sixty that applied. The six companies chosen by the Channel’s commissioners exemplify the wealth of black, Asian and minority ethnic production companies that already exists. I’m really excited to see what these talented production companies come up with and eventually watching the results.”

This is the second iteration of the programme which is part of a two-year partnership with The TV Collective. The  companies who were successful in the first outing of the partnership have gone onto win a number of new commissions.  Afro-Mic have delivered Dream Life for the Same Price and daytime format Ireland, Coast and Country.  Cardiff Productions are making the second series of Unapologetic with SBTV and have other projects in development with Channel 4. Douglas Road have made Judi Love: Black, Female and Invisible (pictured). Milk First’s Yorkshire Cop: Police, Racism and Me will TX in October; Ranga Bee have finished Jon & Lucy’s Christmas Sleepover. Uplands TV  made Race and Medical Experiments, What’s the Truth? which was shown last year. They have recently delivered Tony Robinson’s Museum of Us for More4 which will go out later this month.  In addition Renaissance Studios have been commissioned as part of Channel 4’s digital talent search.

Emma-Rosa Dias from Afro-Mic productions said: “We really benefited from the Indie Accelerator at Channel 4.  We were able to work closely with Jo Street and her brilliant team to gain valuable insights and even secured a broadcast pilot in the process, which we'll be delivering soon in the hope to take it to series. “

Narinder Minhas, CEO of Cardiff Productions said: "The Accelerator has been absolutely key in helping us to broaden and deepen the relationship we already have with Channel 4, particularly in that crucial area of repeatable shows.”

A key part of Channel 4’s remit is to champion unheard voices, and the Indie Accelerator is designed to help ethnically diverse led indies to become more established both with Channel 4 and in the industry.

For more details contact SMackean@Channel4.co.uk

Notes to Editors:

About the Channel 4 Indie Accelerator

Channel 4 was the first broadcaster to ringfence spend for ethnically diverse-led indies, pledging to triple content spend to £22 million by the end of 2023.

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.

Its Black To Front Project in September ‘21 launched with a ground-breaking day 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.

As a legacy of The Black to Front Project, Channel 4 have issued a Manifesto 4 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.

Channel 4 and The TV Collective’s 2022 Indie Accelerator is aimed at supporting ethnically diverse led indies who have not had a Channel 4 linear commission in the past five years. Eligible indies have to have at least 25% of shareholders from an ethnically diverse background. Indies’ turnover must be less than £5m.

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.

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.

Picture Caption:

Judi Love: Black, Female and Invisible made by Douglas Road is one of the successful commissions from Channel 4 and the TV Collective’s first Indie Accelerator partnership

ENDS