• Northern Ireland indies in £1.5m+ commissions for Channel 4
• Siobhan Sinnerton joins News & Current Affairs team
• Follows Channel 4 commitment to boost spend in Northern Ireland

Channel 4 has announced a series of commissions in Northern Ireland, including a major primetime deal with Waddell Media in Belfast.

Channel 4’s Head of Specialist Factual Ralph Lee has commissioned a brand new religion and ethics strand to be delivered by Waddell, 4thought.tv, a series of short films, in which a single speaker, filmed in a studio, will reflect on religious and ethical issues or aspects of their spiritual lives. Viewers will be confronted by big ideas and unconventional ways of addressing issues – from jokes and songs to recounting moving personal experiences. These shorts will challenge some traditional views, providing a platform for both scepticism and devout religious beliefs.

The films will air after Channel 4 News every day, seven nights a week. The strand will also have a strong online presence on the 4thought.tv website, overseen by Cross Platform Commissioning Editor Adam Gee. Every film will be made available to view on this site (as well as on 4OD), as well as providing additional bonus video content. Over time, the strand and website will build up a resource of thinking and reflection on faith, in all its aspects, in modern Britain.

The range of individuals appearing in the films will be as diverse as the views expressed - from the leaders of world religions and influential figures in the public eye to members of the public who will have the opportunity to speak candidly about their faith and beliefs and provide first-person testimony about their experiences.

Many of the 4thought.tv films will air in thematically-linked mini seasons - marking important religious events or providing swift reaction to issues in the news – providing an eclectic range of opinions on a single topic.

The strand will launch on 5th July with the first week of films reflecting on the fifth anniversary of the 7/7 terrorist attack on London. The films will include the views of: George Rhoden, a Metropolitan Police Officer and devout Christian who was involved in the aftermath; Esther Hyman, whose sister was killed on the Number 30 bus; Gill Hicks - a survivor who lost both her legs in the Edgware Rd blast; Raj Babbra - a former Sikh, whose best friend was killed in the Aldgate explosion; Farrah Jarral - a Muslim surgeon who amputated the leg of one of the survivors and Ajmal Masroor - a London imam who had to deal with the effect on the Muslim community. Together, these films will provide a spectrum of reflection on the impact on the faith of these individuals – all of whom were profoundly affected by those events.

Future themed weeks for the strand will include the Marching Season in Northern Ireland, religious jokes in the week of the Edinburgh Festival, the state visit of the Pope in September, and a series of films about Amazing Grace, one of the most cherished religious hymns of all time. The strand will air reflections from diverse perspectives and faiths including Wicca, one of Britain’s fastest growing religions and minority faiths such as Bahá’í and Zoroastrianism.

Waddell will deliver the TV aspects of 4thought.tv, while Belfast digital agencies Johnston North and Atto will manage the cross-platform presence.

Jannine Waddell, Managing Director of Waddell Media, said: “We are delighted to secure this high-value commission from Channel 4, which further cements the company’s reputation as a leading producer in the UK. I welcome the increased commitment Channel 4 has shown to the production sector in Northern Ireland.”

Ralph Lee, Head of Specialist Factual, Channel 4, said: “Channel 4’s point of difference as a public service broadcaster lies in its ability to reflect the diversity of opinion in modern Britain. 4thought.tv is an inspiring series of short films that provoke real thought about the nature of faith and religion today.”

Northern Ireland indies Doubleband and Michael Beattie Media have also been awarded development deals for Channel 4. Doubleband will develop a major feature documentary, while Michael Beattie Media is in post-production on a First Cut film with new producer Chris Eva.

Stuart Cosgrove, Director, Nations & Regions, Channel 4 said: “Channel 4 is committed to driving diversity of production across the UK – we now produce 35% of our content outside of London. There is a considerable pool of talent in Northern Ireland and I am pleased to announce this promising progress in out commissioning there.”

Channel 4 recently announced the appointment of Northern Irish producer Siobhan Sinnerton as Commissioning Editor in News and Current Affairs. As former Series Editor of Unreported World, Siobhan brings a vast experience and creative instinct to the commissioning team and strengthens Channel 4’s contacts with the Northern Ireland TV sector.

These key announcements follow a successful year for Channel 4 productions in Northern Ireland – with feature film Hunger and Mo Mowlam biopic Mo each winning a raft of awards and critical acclaim. Richard Williams, Chief Executive of Northern Ireland Screen, which co-funded Hunger and Mo said:

“Northern Ireland Screen is committed to developing a sustainable, dynamic screen industry and culture in Northern Ireland by supporting local film, television and digital media companies. Building on the success of previous co-productions with Channel 4, we are pleased to announce that we are co-funding the online aspect of Waddell Media’s 4thought.tv commission. It is a welcome boost for a production sector that has been buoyed by a number of recent successes, such as the location of a major HBO drama in Belfast and eight BAFTA TV award nominations.”

NOTES TO EDITORS

Channel 4 is required by license to commission 35% of its programming each year from companies based outside of London. Of this, 3% must be spent in the devolved nations of the UK. Channel 4 last year launched a commissioning task force to boost Channel 4’s commissions in Northern Ireland.

Northern Ireland Screen is the national screen agency for Northern Ireland whose aim is to accelerate the development of a dynamic and sustainable screen industry and culture in Northern Ireland. Its main areas of activity include funding; locations, services and facilities; exhibition and audience development; education; business support, skills and training. Northern Ireland Screen is funded by Invest Northern Ireland, the Department of Culture Arts and Leisure and the UK Film Council and is delegated by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland to administer Lottery funding in Northern Ireland.

Waddell Media is a leading producer of factual, lifestyle and entertainment programming for the UK, Irish and international markets. Founded in 1988 by Brian Waddell, former director of programmes at Ulster Television, the company produces around 50 hours of television each year for most of the leading UK broadcasters. It is also well established in the international market, with major commissions in the US for Discovery, National Geographic and A&E.

Press contact: Jenny Cummins 0207 306 8181

June 2010