Global Format Fund

Over the last 18 months we have commissioned seven Global Format Fund series and are now seeking to invest in a further six new titles to play next year.

In the first round of the GFF we commissioned the Bafta-nominated Money Bags a daytime quiz which was recommissioned earlier this year; One and Six Zeroes, a Sunday evening quiz with Dara O’Briain; primetime reality series The Love Trap hosted by Joel Dommett and controversial social experiment Open House: The Great Sex Experiment.

In the second round we commissioned three more series: the recently announced Scared of The Dark - an exciting new primetime entertainment gameshow and two 8pm, warm eight part factual series - The Greatest Auction and The Dog Academy.

Global Format Fund ideas are considered in context of which will likely best resonate with audiences in both UK and international markets and commissioned on their probable contribution to both Channel 4 audience share and international format sales.

Overview

In 2020 Channel 4 ring-fenced £30 million of incremental content spend to be invested in the Global Format Fund.

A response to the shortage of new scalable formats in the international distribution markets and a high degree of interest in original formats that launch in the UK, the Global Format Fund was created to better generate new series that focus on both national success and international saleability.  

We recognise that landing new formats necessitates the taking of enhanced risks by broadcasters, something that entrenched viewing habits and a reliance on returning brands can sometimes prevent. We also recognise that for international IP to succeed, producers need prime slots, marketing and multi series opportunities, as well as great ideas and execution and so the fund is accompanied by an equitable approach to the risk/reward ratio between producers and Channel 4.

The Global Format Fund’s existing commissions prove that by Channel 4 and producers working together and pooling our complementary expertise to select new formats for development and production, we optimise our chances of international success, generating commercial returns for both parties.

2023 Slots

Process

• Five genres - Daytime and Features, Documentaries, Entertainment, Factual Entertainment, and Specialist Factual - are looking to commission six series in multiple slots serving daytime, 8pm and 10pm. These sit outside of normal genre order lists as additional spend.

• Vivienne Molokwu, Senior Commissioning Editor, will lead a steering group to co-ordinate the initiative. The steering group for the Global Format Fund will be made up of representatives from Commissioning, Content Strategy and Planning, Commercial Affairs and independent intellectual property development and distribution experts.

• All ideas submitted by relevant Heads of Department for Global Format Fund funding will be considered by this group before the Chief Content Officer makes the final commissioning decisions.

• The genre briefs for the 2023 Global Format Fund slots can be found by following the links at the bottom of this page.

• The deadline for the 2023 Global Format Fund submission is Friday 5th August 2022.

DEAL TERMS

• As per current Terms of Trade save that all net receipts from producer exploitation (including format fees), shared equally between the Producer and Channel 4

• Channel 4 commits to precise schedule slots, minimum run lengths, and clearly identified tariffs upfront (see below for 2021) to aid international sales. Slots are selected on the basis that they have the potential to drive IP revenue[1]

• Channel 4 will provide onscreen and other marketing support including social above a standard Channel 4 campaign to a guaranteed minimum level of potential audience reach of targeting at least 25 million people

• Channel 4 will actively engage with Producers in supporting international sales efforts, e.g. by providing audience research and insight, marketing expertise, helping create materials, participating in sales pitches

• Channel 4 will provide a two-series commitment at outset providing the first series meets three or more of the following criteria:

1. Individual share performance vs TX slot average with -15% margin
2. Individual share performance vs Mon-Sun slot average with -15% margin
3. 16-34 share vs TX slot average with -15% margin
4. All 4 views - average views per episode with -15% margin within genre benchmark (all platforms, 0-7 days)
5. Linear retention – final episode volume must be within -15% of launch episode volume

(Criteria based on consolidated figures, criteria 1-4 looking at series average)

[1] Channel 4 will retain flexibility on slot commitment in exceptional circumstances such as breaking news, events of national importance, overruns due to sporting or other live events,  etc.

WHERE TO SEND YOUR IDEAS

Individual genre briefs and details of where to send ideas can be found in the links below.

Daytime

Documentaries

Entertainment

Factual Entertainment

Features

Specialist Factual

The deadline for all GFF ideas is Friday 5th August 2022.

For any queries, please contact: Vivienne Molokwu (vmolokwu@channel4.co.uk).