Channel 4 is planning a major overhaul of its three current unscripted commissioning departments as part of the biggest jobs cull in its 43-year history, which the public service broadcaster confirmed on Wednesday.
Wednesday’s announcement revealed that the broadcaster would cut 340 jobs – equivalent to around 28% of its workforce – before the end of this year, although it did not offer any details about where the cuts were likely to be made.
The new details, first reported by Broadcast, suggest that Channel 4 will be merging three of its biggest unscripted units: Documentaries and factual entertainment; reality and entertainment; and specialist factual.
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This would create a single commissioning team responsible for shows as diverse as The Great British Bake Off, Married at First Sight (pictured) and 24 Hours in Police Custody.
The changes could also mean around half of commissioning roles are at risk, particularly if new rumours emerging today that the broadcaster is also to merge its drama and comedy commissioning teams as part of the cull turn out to be true. One source estimated that 16 jobs will become seven, with offers of voluntary redundancy expected to be the first tool employed by C4.
Channel 4 has so far made no official comment beyond Wednesday’s statement about the layoffs, which CEO Priya Dogra said the cuts were aimed at reducing management layers, removing duplication and simplifying decision-making.
Anonymous insiders have said that the changes were communicated internally in a “ruthless” way, with staff being told that if they received an email at a certain time, it would inform them that their job was at risk and described the cull as a “watershed” moment for Channel 4 as it grapples with unprecedented competition for viewers and pressure on advertising revenue in a rapidly changing era for content producers and broadcasters.
Dogra said on Wednesday: “These decisions have not been taken lightly, but I strongly believe they are necessary to create a simpler, more focused and more sustainable Channel 4 that can invest a greater proportion of revenues into distinctive content, back British creativity and deliver impact for audiences long into the future.”
