Ofcom publishes response Channel 4’s 2021 Statement of Media Content Policy

Article summary

Ofcom has published its response to Channel 4 Corporation’s (C4C) Statement of Media Content Policy for 2021. Ofcom considers that that C4C ‘performed well against its remit and content duties in 2021…commend[s] C4C for its continued investment in content outside of London…[and] C4C continues to deliver content promoting new and diverse voices and perspectives’. Ofcom also notes that, in line with the market more generally, C4C recovered strongly in 2021, reporting record revenues compared to 2020 with a more stabilised financial position. However, Ofcom further outlines areas of underperformance, notably, the under provision of subtitles and audio description on Channel 4 on the FreeSat platform, and that C4C’s planned online content strand for teenagers has still to launch, with Ofcom wanting to see a clear C4C strategy on its approach to this in 2022.