Unreported World becomes first Channel 4 series to go global online

The critically-acclaimed foreign affairs strand Unreported World will be the first Channel 4 series to have its geo-blocking lifted on the catch-up service 4 On Demand (4oD) - making it available to view online free of charge around the world.

This change will apply to the 21st series - this new ten-part run will begin on Friday March 25th at 7.30pm. Channel 4 is also launching a weekly Unreported World podcast which will be available globally to download from iTunes.

The global online launch has been driven by Eamonn Matthews, Managing Director of Quicksilver Media which produces the series. He says: "Unreported World reports from some of the most neglected and toughest places on the planet. Those who live in these regions often struggle to access free media and impartial journalism so when we make films there's a huge international demand for access to our programmes on the web.  Pirated versions of most episodes appear on You Tube within hours of their broadcast on Channel 4, and are hugely popular. 

"With Channel 4's help we're going to give people anywhere in the world the chance to watch the films in proper quality, and in the context of supporting materials such as articles and links to NGOs and charities on the site."

Channel 4 Commissioning Editor Siobhan Sinnerton says: "Unreported World is a much-loved part of the Channel 4 schedule and, as the UK's longest-running foreign affairs strand, has contributed greatly to a wider understanding of the developing world. As Unreported World turns 21 we are delighted that it will now be available around the world and believe that this marks a new phase in the series' development -  building a global online audience."

Notes to Editors:

• Geoblocking is a technology employed by all the main UK broadcasters to prevent access to web sites from visitors in particular countries or regions
• Unreported World launched in 2000 and has been a fixture in Channel 4's prime-time schedule for more than 10 years. The series is made by Quicksilver Media; George Waldrum is Series Editor.
• Unreported World is on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/unreportedworld and can be followed on Twitter at @unreportedworld. The podcast will be available from the channel4.com/unreportedworld website
• The new series begins on March 25th with India's Leprosy Heroes:
  Unreported World meets remarkable people fighting back against leprosy in India, where millions affected by the disease are pushed to the margins of society, ostracised by their friends and families. Based on targets set by the World Health Organization, the Indian government claims it has eliminated leprosy. However Unreported World reveals the numbers of new cases in some areas could be much higher than previously estimated.