Barcroft gains Channel 4 4Real content commission
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Editor
| 03 June 2019

UK broadcaster Channel 4 has commissioned independent factual production company Barcroft Studios to produce a raft of short form factual digital films in a year-long output deal.

Running on the recently announced 4Real youth programming content strand, the commission, the first from the recently formed digital creative unit (DCU), will see Barcroft Studios producing over 100 original factual films intended for distribution on social channels. Barcroft Studios CEO Sam Barcroft will executive produce the 4Real output and will be collaborating with Channel 4’s DCU editorial, commercial and social teams to maximise the reach of 4Real’s output across social and digital platforms.

“We’re excited to be collaborating with Channel 4 on this bold, innovative new move in creating, formatting and distributing original digital content tailored for young audiences,” Barcroft said. “Our 12 years knowledge gained from producing over 2500 digital original shorts, married with Channel 4’s creative expertise and brand values, is an exciting proposition. We’ll work together to discover and launch grassroots talent and formats for the future that will resonate with youth audiences where they spend their screen time.”

Danny Horan, head of factual at Channel 4 added: “It’s not before time that we are commissioning digital first factual content. We hope the Channel 4 brand and reputation, combined with Barcroft’s expertise, will produce extraordinary stories using innovation and new talent. It’s a new path - one which will extend our reach, our breadth of story-telling and capture a younger, wider audience.”