Research on Channels

Channel 4 Commissioning requirements

- returnable sitcom scripts for 10pm slots, half hour shows (defining and distinctive setting, conceptual look)
- E4 looking for performer/writer led ideas
DO NOT WANT SOMETHING THAT THEY ALREADY HAVE
- they want to make hit shows and launch stars therefore looking for groundbreaking ideas and best of new wave talent
360 degrees diversity charter:
- show leadership in diversity at every level such as commissioners, writers directors, HR management, interns, casting agents, viewers, business managers, indie managers, on screen talent, TV executives lawyers, headhunters, career advisors...
- they believe that what they do matters more than what they say
- "to include and nurture talent and to reflect contemporary Britain on and off screen"
- "challenge established views and promote alternative views and new perspectives"
- diversity of thought is important to them
- as they don't produce their own work, channel 4 makes sure that the independent production companies that they work with follow the diversity strategy
4 Big themes: 
1. Own Backyard: need more diverse people in senior leadership (from ethnic minorities), need more career groups for underrepresented groups
2. on and off screen: "nurture new talent from all backgrounds and give a voice to untold stories", they want to mainstream diversity, greater diversity mean greater imagination
Alpha fund = funds the development of diverse talent and content featuring underrepresented groups
3. Working with Indies: listen to them and see what needs doing to help underrepresented people, creating diversity database
4. Working collaboratively: work with other broadcasters, indies, Pact, Creative Skillset and the CDN (creative diversity network, as well as charities and voluntary sector organisations
DIAMOND = new diversity monitoring system

Channel 4 and E4 Sitcoms

The Inbetweeners
Back
Fresh Meat
Peep Show
Friday Night Dinner *
Kevin Can't Wait (US) *
The IT Crowd *
Catastrophe
Chewing Gum
Black Books
Man Down
Crashing
Smack the Pony
Wasted

http://www.channel4.com/info/commissioning/4producers/comedy

http://www.channel4.com/media/documents/press/news/Desktop/Channel%204%20360%20Diversity%20Charter%20-%20FINALxx.pdf

http://www.channel4.com/media/documents/commissioning/TVsubmissionsguidelines.pdf

http://www.channel4.com/info/commissioning/4producers

ITV Commissioning requirements 

ITV has a broad audience with mainstream tastes. It is looking for ambitious ideas with familiar themes and shared interests. 

 ITV sitcom requirements - strong characters, compelling stories, pre and post water shed half hour sitcoms, funny and packed with jokes, single camera and studio sitcoms (they want more), has a broad appeal to wide audience therefore material has to be accessible, modern, contemporary and high production value 

ITV2 sitcom requirements - appeal to a younger, male skewing audience with being 'laddish'. Bold and stand out stories such as Family Guy, American Dad and Bordertown. Looking for half hour shows for 10pm slots. 

ITV 

Benidorm
American Dad (Cartoon US)
Betch
Family Guy (Cartoon US)
George and Mildred (classic)
On the Buses (classic)
Rising Damp (classic)


http://www.itv.com/commissioning/entertainment-and-comedy

http://www.itv.com/commissioning/guidelines

BBC Commissioning requirements 

Looking for: 

- studio audience sitcom: six x 30minutes 

- single camera sitcom: six x 30 minutes 

* smart and popular comedy
* unashamedly funny, confident, colourful and diverse 

Audience:
- nuanced and 'think again' comedy
- 20-30 year olds
- respond best to personality led mainstream
Diversity: different voice, comedy is universal younger audience in BBC3 = original comedy with online discussions. 

BBC 

Josh (BBC1)
Porridge (BBC1)
Upstart Crow (BBC2)
Mrs Browns boys (BBC1)
Just a couple (BBC3)
Coconut (BBC3)
Dads Army (BBC1)
Fam-a-lam (BBC2)
The other one (BBC2)
Miranda (BBC2)
My Family (BBC1)
Absolutely Fabulous (BBC1)
2point4 children (BBC1)
Outnumbered (BBC1)

Below is a table which I did which investigates what is on TV during Prim time. The ones in bold are sitcoms or comedy shows which is a similar genre to mine. From my findings I can see that on BBC channels they don't show sitcoms or comedy shows but more drama series and talk shows. ITV as well focuses more on drama series and talks shows. Channel 4 which was one that I was leaning towards doesn't seems to show any comedy show or sitcoms or even talk shows except the cartoon series The Simpsons at 6:00 pm everyday. The only channels that my sitcom would possibly fit in is on ITV2 which shows the American series Two and a Half men and E4 which shows the TV series The Big Bang Theory.

	BBC1	BBC2	ITV	ITV2	Channel 4	E4
Monday	6:00 News  7:00 The one show  8:00 eastenders 8:30 North Korea  9:00 Relik	6:00 Eggheads  7:00 Antiques road trip  8:00 University challenge  8:30 Upstart crow  9:00 the human body	6:00 News  7:00 Emmerdale   7:30 Coronation Street  8:00 Guide to Britain  8:30 Coronation Street  9:00 Liar	7:00 you've been framed  8:00 two and a half men	6:00 The Simpsons  6:30 Hollyoaks  7:00 News  7:55 Politics  8:00 Jaimies food  8:30 the undatable  10:00 first dates	7:00 Hollyoaks  7:30 Driving school  8:00 Film  9:40 Tatto fixers
Tuesday	6:00 News  7:00 The one show  7:30 Eastenders  8:00 Holby City  9:00 Doctor Foster	6:00 Eggheads  6:30 Strictly come dancing  7:00 Antiques  8:00 Saving lives  9:00 Reformation  10:00 Jools Holland	6:00 News  7:00 Emmerdale  7:30 Save Money  8:00 Robson  8:30 Cleaners  9:00 Cilia	7:00 You've been framed  8: two and a half men  9:00 Film	6:00 The Simpsons 6:30 Hollyoaks  7:00 News  8:00 Bake off  9:15 Barbie	7:30 driving school  8:00 Films  10:00 8/10 cats
Wednesday	6:00 News  6:30 SCD 7:00 The one show  8:00 Eat well or less? 9:00 The apprentice	6:00 Eggheads  7:00 Coast  8:00 Billion dollar deals  9:00 the detectives		6:00 Dress to Impress	6:00 The Simpsons  6:30 Hollyoaks  7:00 News  8:00 location  9: grand designs	6:00 Big Bang Theory  7:00 Hollyoaks  7:30 Cakes  8:00 Big bang theory  9:00 dont tell the bride
Thursday	6:00 News  7:30 Eastenders  8:00 Housing Enforcers  9:00 Ambulance	6:00 Eggheads  6:30 SCD  7:00 Coast  8:00 Family cooking  9:00 russia	6:00 News  7:00 Emmerdale  7:30 World Cup  10:00 News	7:00 you've been framed  8:00 Two and a half men  9:00 Bromans	6:00 The Simpsons  6:30 Hollyoaks  7:00 News  8:00 The superset  9:00 educating manchaster	7:00 Hollyoaks  7:30 driving school  8:00 Big Bang Theory  9:00 tattoo fixers  10:00 the inbetweeners
Friday	6:00 News  7:00 The one show  8:00 Eastenders  8:30 Would I lie to you  9:00 Have i got news for you  9:30 Porridge	6:00 SCD  7:00 Coast  8:00 Mastermind  8:30 only connect  9:00 Gardeners world	6:00 News  7:00 Emmerdale  7:30 Coronation Street  8:00 teach my pet to do that  8:30 coronation street  9:00 cod feet	7:00 you've been framed  8:00 two and a half men  8:30 two and a half men  9:00 film	6:00 The simpsons  6:30 hollyoaks  7:00 News  7:30 unreported world  8:00 the crystal maze  9:00 googlebox	7:00 Hollyoaks  7:30 driving school  8:00 Film  10:30 Big Bang Theory
Saturday	6:45 Strictly Come Dancing  8:50  Casualty  9:40  Mrs Browns Boys	6:30  The big family cooking showdown  7:30  Front Row  8:00  Britain Afloat  8:30  Dads Army  9:00  Stop all the clocks	6:00  Cannonball  7:00  The family chase  8:00  X-factor  9:30  Jonathan Ross show	9:00 Film	6:30 Channel 4 News  7:00 Britains ancient tracks 8:00 WWII 9:00 FILm	8:00 Film  10:00 Film
Sunday	6:15 Countryfile  7:15 SCD 8:00 Antiques  9:00 The last Post	6:00 Rugby  7:00 Russia  8:00 Astronauts  9:00 Dragons Den	6:00 News  6:30 Tipping Point  7:30 X-factor  9:00 Victoria	9:00 Love island	6:00 News  8:00 Escape  9:00 Electric Dreams  10:05 Boris Johnson  11:00 Film	9:00 Film