Channel 4 documentary explores modern masculinity with actor Danny Dyer
WEBWIRE – Thursday, March 14, 2024
Renowned British actor Danny Dyer, celebrated for his iconic manly roles, is set to step out of his tough guy persona and embark on an insightful journey into the heart of modern British masculinity in a ground-breaking new two-part documentary series for Channel 4.
Produced by Whitworth Media,Danny Dyer: How To Be A Manfollows Danny as he delves into the evolving landscape of masculinity. At a time whensome believe traditionalmasculinity has been labelled toxic Danny will ask men across Britain what they think it means to be a man in our society, and what the future is for the male identity.
With his signature charisma and candour, Danny will meet individuals who believe traditional masculinity is under threat, as well as those advocating for a more progressive and inclusive version of the male identity and manhood.
The series will feature interviews with men, including a politician, psychologists, a mental health expert, a fitness expert, a sex therapist, an influencer, male victims of domestic abuse, and members of the Brighton Gay Mens Chorus to offer a range of voices and perspectives on this complex subject.
Across both films Danny will beexploringgender stereotypes, male attitudes to mental health, and exploring the changing roles of men in society. He will engage inconversations that challenge perceptions and open up a dialogue on what it means to be a modern man in Britain today.
Danny Dyersaid,As an actor, Ive played countless characters, but now I am making a documentary about what the evolving place of men really is. If you were to look on social media, it might seem like people are either completely embracing or rejecting traditional gender roles, without much room for nuance. Thats why we wanted to chat to real men that are representative of the UK today, to hear their thoughts on what being a modern man is to them. To me, being a man isnt about trying to fit a mould, its about showing a bit of heart and respecting yourself and others so Im hoping this documentary gets the geezers talking.
Hugh Whitworth, CEO and Creative Director at Whitworth Media, said, It feels like a taboo subject, but men and boys are facing really serious issues that we need to be talking about for the benefit of everyone.
James Routh, Director, said As someone of a similar vintage to Danny its been fascinating, shocking but also inspiring to travel the country talking to geezers. Its important that we have these conversations as a society, preferably face-to-face. At a time of noisy online identity politics its worth remembering that for a huge section of society their primary identity is simply man, and that this most fundamental of categories comes with its own issues, needs and challenges.
Ian Dunkley, Commissioning Editor for Channel 4, said, Danny Dyer: How To Be A Man promises to be a thought-provoking exploration of the concept of masculinity in contemporary Britain. Danny Dyers unique perspective and engaging storytelling captivate audiences and spark important conversations about what it means to be a man in todays world.
The two-part factual entertainment series was commissioned for Channel 4 by Ian Dunkley. It was filmed and directed by James Routh, with Hugh Whitworth as Executive Producer for Whitworth Media.
WEBWIRE – Thursday, February 29, 2024
As part of its recently announced Fast Forward strategy, Channel 4 is switching up the schedule of its ground-breaking soap, Hollyoaksthe first UK soap to move to a genuinely digital first model last yearwith a new episode strategybuilt around evolving viewing habits. From September 2024, the new, data-led drop pattern will see the soap move from five new episodes per week to three on streaming, E4 and YouTube. Extensive research has identified this as the optimum pattern to keep heartland audiences hooked and attract new ones in a highly saturated content market.There will also be a drama packed hour-long weekly omnibus episode broadcast on Channel 4 and available to stream. The move reflects how young audiences are already consuming Hollyoaks, with Channel 4 data showing that the most loyal soap fans watch an average of three episodes per week. The new strategy will enable the show to cut through more powerfully with fewer, higher impact episodes. Alongside the episodic changes, Lime Pictures have appointed Hannah Cheers as Executive Producer to lead Hollyoaks exciting evolution.Cheers has been interim showrunner since September 2023, overseeing standout, critically acclaimed storylines, includingdriving the January stunt episode, which along with outstanding production values solidified the success of streaming-first, as well as masterminding the return of iconic characters likeJacqui, Myra, Cleo and Theresa McQueen and FreddieRoscoe. While audiences continue to love strong brands and familiarity, they are confronted with ever increasing choice and a growing number of titles. Fewer episodes mean greater focus on the characters and gripping storylines that we know audiences love most. The new format will ensure Hollyoaks stays relevant, competitive, and ahead of the curve in a changing TV market. Hollyoaks will continue to focus on being the youngest-skewing and most innovative soap tackling real-life issues in an authentic way. It will offer more spectacular storylines and drama, focusing on fan-favourite characters and their interconnected lives, which research tells us is what viewers want more of. It will build on the huge success of recent special episodes, which have demonstrated the way in which concentrated, well-crafted instalments resonate with viewers.Januarys special episode that featured an explosive multi-vehicle collision, exploding a number of stories and introducing new characters saw streaming views up 62% over the previous four-week average making it the biggest Hollyoaks episode ever on Channel 4 streaming*. The new digital first streaming pattern for Hollyoaks launched in September last year, is also performing strongly with theshows streaming views up +33% since November 2023 on the four months prior. The changes to the drop pattern of the show will have an impact on its production. Channel 4 will work alongside Lime Pictures to minimise these impacts where possible. Ian Katz, Chief Content Officer said:Hollyoaks is on sparkling creative form at the moment and these changes will ensure it remains compulsive viewing for a new generation of fans as viewing habits change. The show has always been at the forefront of innovation in all of its forms, including increasing and decreasing episode numbers in response to viewing habits. These changes are a decisive step forward, designed to reflect how audiences are watching. A tighter schedule promises a new era of more scale and impact. We are of course mindful of the impacts on the production team and will work closely with Lime Pictures to minimise these where possible. We are also delighted that the brilliant Hannah Cheers will be leading Hollyoaks into its fourth decade. Hannah is passionate, rigorous and has an outstanding track record of finding and developing talent. Hollyoaks has played a crucial role in nurturing talent for nearly thirty years, and we are excited to continue to develop new opportunities and nurture the stars of tomorrow. I would like to thank all the Hollyoaks cast and crew who have been involved in the programme since its inception. MDs of Lime Pictures, Kate Little and Claire Poyser said: Given the success of the new streaming-first model, we are delighted that Hollyoaks remains at the forefront of Channel 4s digital first strategy, bringing authentic, unexpected and untold stories that inspire younger audiences in a way that they want to consume them. We are absolutely thrilled that Hannah Cheers will lead the show into its next exciting chapter. Evidently there are implications that will mean we have to reshape Hollyoaks production model and amidst the buoying news for the future of the show and its audience, we must also acknowledge that a reduction in cast and crew, will be very difficult and we will support everyone in that process. Hannah Cheers, Executive Producer said: Hollyoaks offers a unique proposition: bold, escapist, relatable, youth-skewing and multi-generational stories, told in its innovative and technicolour signature style. The show continues to bring people together by making them feel something, and everything. Approaching its 30th anniversary in 2025, Hollyoaks matters just as much now as it did at its trailblazing launch. There may be speculation about the future of Continuing Drama, but as someone who was brought up on the nations soaps – and remains a true fan – I believe their value must not be underestimated. Soap audiences grow up alongside their favourite characters over a period of many years; the investment in their stories is huge. The genres ability to initiate important conversations is unparalleled, especially when it all comes served up with joy, humour and jaw-dropping twists. I want future generations to experience that. I am honoured to lead Hollyoaks into its fourth decade on Channel 4 and drive the vision of this transition. Ben Wadey, Channel 4 Commissioning Executive for Hollyoaks said: In January I promised a blockbuster year for Hollyoaks and after a powerful start with our breath-taking hour long special, theres no let-up in momentum. At Hollyoaks we have always been brave, leading the way and not only tackling stories that others wouldnt dare to, but changing and evolving to the needs of our viewers. Dont forget Hollyoaks initially launched with just one episode per week in 1995, gradually increasing to two in 1996, three in 1999, four in 2001 and finally five in 2003.But now in 2024 we must flex again, as we have always done, to best serve our audiences and keep our young skewing soap in step with young viewers. Were not afraid of change, it has been key to Hollyoaks longevity so far and will be the key to its future. Notes to editors: *Not including Christmas specials About Channel 4 Channel 4 exists to create change through entertainment. Publicly owned yet commercially funded, Channel 4 generates significant and sustainable cultural, economic and social impact across the UK at no cost to the taxpayer. The broadcasters distinctive remit is set by Parliament, and it has a role to represent unheard voices, challenge with purpose and reinvent entertainment. For more than 40 years, it has been a British success story, engaging generation after generation of young people. With a unique publisher-broadcaster model, Channel 4 commissions its content from the UK independent production sector. Working with hundreds of creative companies every year, Channel 4 makes a major contribution to the local, regional and national economy, creating and supporting thousands of jobs and businesses across the country. In 2024, Channel 4 launched its Fast Forward strategy to accelerate its transformation into an agile and genuinely digital-first public service streamer by 2030. It is designed to ensure Channel 4 embraces the generational shift in TV viewing, elevates its impact across the UK and stands out in a crowded market. From its bases in London, Leeds, Manchester, Bristol and Glasgow, Channel 4 is fully committed to harnessing the power of its regional structure to increase its impact across the UK. Through its training and development initiative 4Skills is opening up opportunities in broadcasting, with a particular focus on disadvantaged young people and addressing skills gaps across the Nations and Regions. 4Skills invests 5m in training, development and learning opportunities annually and this will double to 10m by 2025. Channel 4 has the UKs biggest free streaming service. Through Film4 Productions, Channel 4 also invests in British filmmakers to huge critical acclaim, producing 37 Oscar wins and 97 BAFTA wins in its history. About Lime Pictures Lime Pictures, with bases in Liverpool and London, produces world-class, cutting-edge programming, covering a wide range of genres from reality drama, through to kids scripted to Channel 4s multi-award-winning daily soap, Hollyoaks. With more than 30 years experience in producing content for global audiences, it produces for all platforms, both linear and VOD, and has played a pioneering role in the launch of new formats as well as using television as a way of on-screen storytelling, and as an off-screen platform, to communicate with a younger audience. Lime Pictures extensive catalogue of programming includes worldwide Netflix hits Dance Monsters, Zero Chill and double Emmy award-winning Free Rein, Hollyoaks for Channel 4, Vinnie Jones In The Country for Discovery+, and the BAFTA award-winning reality series The Only Way Is Essex for ITVX. Productions for MTV include Geordie Shore (the highest rated series outside of North America), Geordie OGs, True Love or True Lies, Love at First Lie: Whos A Couple and Whos A Con and Are You The One? UK. Lime Pictures also produces E4s highly successful Celebs Go Dating as well as ITVXs Georgia and Tommy: Baby Steps and Drama Queens.
WEBWIRE – Tuesday, January 30, 2024
Channel 4 today unveiled an ambitious five-year strategy to reshape the organisation and accelerate its transformation into an agile, genuinely digital-first public service streamer by 2030. The strategy called Fast Forward will ensure Channel 4 embraces the generational shift that is taking place in TV viewing, to elevate its impact across the UK and stand out in a world of global entertainment conglomerates and social media giants. Fast Forward is designed to get Channel 4 into the right shape for the 2030s and protect its long-term sustainability: focusing investment in distinctive, streaming-friendly British content and social media; growing diversified revenue streams; and reengineering the business to become leaner, simpler and nimbler, divesting from legacy operations to support digital priorities. In 2020, Channel 4 launched its Future4 strategy to shift its focus from traditional broadcasting to digital. It is now leading its peers, with digital revenues accounting for 27% of total revenues last year compared to around 10% amongst other commercial broadcasters in the UK and abroad. Channel 4 aims to increase this to 30% in 2024 and pass the tipping point of 50% by 2030. It has also successfully expanded non-advertising revenue to represent 10% of total revenues and, in streaming, viewing time grew by 24% in 2023. The Fast Forward strategy will build on this momentum and support Channel 4 into the 2030s, ensuring it reaches and inspires new generations of viewers, delivers its public service remit, and sustains its long-term future as a relevant and rebellious force in British creative and cultural life. Alex Mahon, CEO, said: “Channel 4 was designed to be ahead of the curve and has never stood still. The rate of change in our market is only speeding up. Our new strategy will accelerate our digital transformation – building on 2020s Future4 strategy and our founding public service principles – so Channel 4 remains a trusted, disruptive and distinctive brand into the 2030s, offering brilliant shows that people love and that matter. We are genuinely excited about the future. Channel 4 means something to British people we are trusted, we are a beacon for quality, we stand out for fresh and exciting ideas that matter and will be even more important in a crowded landscape of global content. While getting ourselves into the right shape for the future is without doubt the right action to take, it does involve making difficult decisions. I am very sad that some of our excellent colleagues will lose their jobs because of the changes ahead. But the reality of the rapid downshift in the UK economy and advertising market demand that we must change structurally. As we shift our centre of gravity from linear to digital our proposals will focus cost reductions on legacy activity. In preparing for a new digital-first future, I hope we can make Channel 4 simpler for staff and our suppliers and create a more efficient, inclusive and high performing organisation. Fast Forward has three strategic pillars: Fast Forward will see Channel 4 seize the opportunity to deliver important, distinctive and disruptive British content to audiences across streaming and social. This includes: Channel 4 will invest in growth businesses to rapidly scale diversified revenue streams. This will contribute to our long-term sustainability and impact with viewers. This includes: To stay competitive and invest in digital priorities, Channel 4 will reduce its operational costs, particularly out of legacy activities. This will simplify its operations to become leaner, nimbler and more sustainable for the long term. This includes: Channel 4 remains committed to its existing target of 600 roles across the Nations and Regions by 2025. Channel 4 is fully committed to harnessing the power of its regional structure to grow its impact across the UK, boosting investment and job opportunities in the Nations and Regions. It will continue to champion Britains world-leading independent TV and film production, nurturing the very best ideas from across the UK and supporting those who aspire to a career in the creative industries. Notes to Editors Any enquiries relating to Channel 4s London premises on Horseferry Road should contact: 124HorseferryRoad@Channel4.co.uk About Channel 4 Channel 4 exists to create change through entertainment. Publicly owned yet commercially funded, Channel 4 generates significant and sustainable cultural, economic and social impact across the UK at no cost to the taxpayer. The broadcasters distinctive remit is set by Parliament, and it has a role to represent unheard voices, challenge with purpose and reinvent entertainment. For over 40 years, it has been a British success story, engaging generation after generation of young people. Through a unique publisher-broadcaster model, Channel 4 commissions its content from the UK independent production sector. Working with around 300 creative companies every year, Channel 4 makes a major contribution to the local, regional and national economy, creating and supporting thousands of jobs and businesses across the country. In 2020, Channel 4 launched its Future4 strategy to become a digital-first public service media company and to continue to deliver significant impact for UK audiences and investment into the UK creative economy. Across its bases in London, Leeds, Manchester, Bristol and Glasgow, Channel 4 is turbocharging its efforts to find, nurture and develop talent across the UK. Through its training and development initiative 4Skills, Channel 4 is opening up opportunities in broadcasting, with a particular focus on disadvantaged young people, and addressing skills gaps across the Nations and Regions. https://www.channel4.com/
WEBWIRE – Wednesday, December 13, 2023
The Channel 4 app launches on Sky Q today, bringing its full range of streaming content and functionality to millions more TV viewers and completing its availability across Skys TV platforms. The Channel 4 app, Britains biggest free streaming service, will allow viewers to seamlessly access its streaming content, complementing Sky Qs existing Channel 4 on-demand offering alongside the hundreds of apps and channels available to customers. Across the new Channel 4 app and Sky Qs existing Channel 4 on-demand offering, Sky viewers will be able to choose from thousands of hours of content including boxsets of fan favourites such as Gogglebox, The Inbetweeners, Married at First Sight, and The Great British Bake Off. Sky customers who access the app with a free Channel 4 streaming account, will also benefit from access to a deep library of box sets. The Channel 4 app provides a range of features including personalised content suggestions, the ability to continue watching across multiple devices, and a My List feature to bookmark shows. Next year, Channel 4 will enable Live Restart functionality on Sky Q, enabling viewers who have missed the beginning of a programme to watch from the start. Karla Berry, Distribution & Partnerships Leader, Commercial Innovation, Channel 4, said: With todays launch were bringing the very best, personalised Channel 4 streaming experience to millions of Sky Q customers across the country. Over the coming months viewers can expect to see us continue to enhance our presence across multiple platforms. Jon Simkin, Managing Director, Channels & Partnerships, Sky, commented: We aim to give our customers the best entertainment experience, so were thrilled to be expanding Channel 4s offering on Sky Q just in time for the Christmas period. Adding to the huge selection of content and apps already available on Sky Q and through our on-demand library, the launch of the Channel 4 app makes it even easier for viewers to access the content they love, all in one place. Channel 4s streaming service is now available on the following platforms: Freeview Play, Sky Q, Sky Glass, Sky Stream, Virgin Media, Samsung smart TVs, Sony smart TVs with Google TV, Amazon Fire TV, Roku, BT TV, TalkTalk TV, Xbox, PlayStation, Apple TV as well as on mobile devices and the web. Earlier this year All 4 changed to Channel 4 as Channel 4 became the first UK broadcaster to adopt one brand identity across its digital and linear channels as audiences increasingly no longer distinguish between digital and linear content.
WEBWIRE – Saturday, May 7, 2022
– Tamara Lawrance as Millie-Jean Black, A police detective forced to quit Scotland Yard and return to the country of her birth, Jamaica, to work missing persons cases for the JPF (Jamaican Police Force), Millie is a woman caught between worlds and conflicting versions of herself. Lawrance is represented by Gordon and French and UTA.
[p]
Channel 4 announces Hollyoaks’ schedule refresh as flagship soap prepares for blockbuster 30th anniversary year
Channel 4 shares plans to become digital-first public service streamer by 2030
Channel 4 app launches on Sky Q bringing additional content to customers and optimum viewing experience
HBO And Channel 4 Series GET MILLIE BLACK Casts Tamara Lawrance In Title Role, Tanya Hamilton To Direct
Gershwyn Eustache Jnr And Chyna MacQueen Also Star, Production Begins This Week In Jamaica
– Joe Dempsie as Luke Holborn, a British detective who shows up in Kingston on the trail of a major investigation thats set on a collision course with Millies. Bringing all the baggage of Scotland Yard with him, Holborns presence on Millies home turf is destined to be triggering in all sorts of ways. Dempsie is represented by B-Side Management in the UK, UTA and Atlas Artists in the US.
– Gershwyn Eustache Jnr as Curtis, As a gay cop, Curtis can go only so far in his own police force; as Millie Blacks partner, hes about to have his whole life shattered. Eustache is represented by ARG.
– Chyna McQueen as Hibiscus, Millies sister and one of the Sunlight Ladies, a band of Queer outcasts living hand-to-mouth yet exuberantly in the gullies that run throughout Kingston. Hibiscus is the sister Millie never bargained for. Millie is the sister Hibiscus never knew she needed. McQueen is represented by RAW Management.
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