Channel 4 Teams Up With NI Screen

Channel 4 and Northern Ireland Screen have joined forces to help boost the nation's broadcast sector.

An initial two-year partnership will see the organisations working closely together to support and grow the production sector in Northern Ireland.

Channel 4 will undertake a range of initiatives to help drive the growth of independent production and talent development which will include More4 Northern Ireland – a scheme designed to lead to a new returnable commission for a Northern Ireland based indie.

Channel 4's Managing Director Nations and Regions Sinead Rocks said: "Northern Ireland has a rich history in film making and a wealth of creative talent and, working with Northern Ireland Screen, I want Channel 4 to be the catalyst that harnesses the next generation of talent and supercharges the nation’s broadcast industry."

Northern Ireland Screen Chief Executive, Richard Williams said: "This marks another significant stage in the development of the Northern Ireland screen industry and underlines the importance of a joint approach to its future strategy. This partnership agreement is clear evidence of Channel 4 and Northern Ireland Screen’s commitment to invest financially and creatively as we continue to develop an internationally competitive screen industry here. This initiative offers local producers wonderful opportunities, but the real winners will be viewers all across the UK."

Channel 4's Head of Daytime and Features Jo Street said: "More4 Northern Ireland is a fantastic opportunity only open to indies in Northern Ireland. We’ll be inviting indies to pitch programmes ideas for a four-part series which could, potentially, become a high volume, returning series on More4.

"This development process alone will help forge stronger ties between Northern Ireland indies and Channel 4's commissioners but hopefully it will also produce a brilliant new, returning series."

The aims of the partnership between Channel 4 and Northern Ireland Screen are to: see more Northern Ireland based indies successfully secure Channel 4 commissions; create more opportunities for NI talent to advance their careers in the television sectors; increase sustainability for NI indies; have NI indies view Channel 4 as their key broadcast partner.

The partnership will focus on three key areas: forging stronger relationships with the broadcast sector in Northern Ireland beginning with an Open Day on 22nd June; undertaking specific initiatives to support production capability in the nation; building upon existing in initiatives to develop talent and address skills gaps.

More4 Northern Ireland will be launched at the Channel 4 Belfast Open Day on 22nd June. Commissioners will liaise directly with Northern Ireland based indies to outline what the channel is looking to commission for More4. Indies will also be offered support and guidance on how to submit the best possible ideas.

www.channel4.com