Channel 4 To Merge Several Commissioning Departments & Leave London Horseferry Road Premises As It Sets Out Layoffs Plan
deadline.comChannel 4 is merging several commissioning departments including TV drama and film and leaving its Horseferry Road premises as the network sets out its layoffs plan and five-year strategy.
The network has unveiled a Fast Forward blueprint to suppliers, staff and press in the past few minutes. There will be a “substantial” number of layoffs in commissioning, according to content boss Ian Katz, with several mergers incoming.
Caroline Hollick’s TV drama department is coming together with new Film4 boss Ollie Madden’s team. Meanwhile, documentaries and factual entertainment, which make the likes of 24 Hours in Custody and Gogglebox, are coming together, as are entertainment and reality – commissioners of Married at First Sight and The Last Leg.
Portfolio channel E4 is also restructuring, with commissions at E4 going through relevant genres and digital reporting straight to Katz. “We know that this is also a very difficult time for the indie sector and we have carefully considered the feedback we’ve heard from suppliers in shaping our plans,” Katz told suppliers, in a note seen by Deadline. “It will take some time to make these changes – and your key contacts may be affected – so please bear with us.” CEO Alex Mahon said the move will “make it simpler for suppliers and more focused on content that drives streaming.” Director of Content Strategy & Planning Kiran Nataraja has taken on an enlarged role as Director of Streaming and Content Strategy, with editorial responsibility for streaming service Channel 4.
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