C4 rule (Channel 4)

Member Name: LisaW82

Product:	Channel 4
Date:	07/06/09 (31 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: The innovative programs

Disadvantages: Adverts

Channel 4, when launched was the poorer relation of the terrestrial television scene. It always played 4th fiddle to BBC1, BBC2 (to some extent) and ITV1, but for me, that has changed thanks to some really brave program scheduling choices and some good solid hard work and creativity.

For years, channel 4 seemed to just show low budget programs that never captured the imagination, but that all changed around a decade ago when the station took on shows like Big Brother, Friends and greatly improved the almost established soap in Hollyoaks. Added to this the good old favourites like Countdown, The Big Breakfast (oh how I miss that show during the Johnny Vaughan and Denise Van Outen era) and The Simpsons and Channel 4 suddenly found itself to have a good solid stable of entertainment.

They clearly set out to attract people like me, teenagers. Obviously I am in my late 20s now, but I am still hooked on Hollyoaks and Big Brother so they must be doing something right. On the back of these successes, Channel 4 has spawned a few new stations, including E4, More 4 and Film 4, the best of which being the brilliant E4. Now this is not an E4 review, but basically the two work in tandem and show some really cool and, at times, groundbreaking programs.

Current Channel 4 favourites in my household are, along with Hollyoaks and Big Brother, The Secret Millionaire, 8 out of 10 Cats, Gok's Fashion Fix and the fantastic new comedy The Inbetweeners. Shows like this don't seem to get a chance on the other traditional channels and Channel 4 are to be commended for that in my view. They seem to be positioning themselves as a station for the younger population and in my opinion it is working tremendously well.

I have such faith in the quality that Channel 4 now produce that if I see something that is even slightly interesting from a trailer, I will make a point of recording it just because of the expectation of it being really good.

My one complaint is just the adverts as I don't want my programs being interrupted really, but there is nothing that can be done about that as it is part of the business model.

Well done the team at Channel 4 and keep up the new and exciting good work.

Summary: Well done the team at Channel 4 and keep up the new and exciting good work.