Channel 4 is launching a brand new comedy channel this month, but don’t bother checking your Freeview TV guide – because this one’s purely digital.
Called “A Comedy Thing by Channel 4,” the new YouTube channel will feature original unscripted comedy content, with weekly shows running 20-30 minutes.
And in typical modern fashion, shorter clips will be scattered across TikTok and Instagram for those who prefer their comedy in bite-sized chunks.
It’s worth remembering, however, that many Freeview boxes and Smart TVs also have a YouTube app these days – so the new shows may be available on your telly via the app.
This is the latest move in Channel 4’s “Fast Forward” strategy, which is their roadmap to becoming primarily a streaming service by 2030. But what does this mean for comedy fans? And is this yet another nail in the coffin for traditional telly?
Channel 4’s Digital Evolution
If you’ve been paying attention to Channel 4 over the last few years, this shouldn’t come as a shock.
They’ve been gradually shifting their focus to digital platforms, especially when trying to grab the attention of younger viewers who wouldn’t know what a TV guide was if it slapped them in the face.
The broadcaster’s relationship with YouTube started back in 2022, when they announced a partnership to bring 1,000 hours of content from popular shows like Location, Location, Location and 8 Out Of 10 Cats to the platform.
This was explicitly described as part of Channel 4’s plans to transition to a “digital-first broadcaster for young audiences.”
Fast forward to January 2024, and Channel 4 unveiled its ambitious “Fast Forward” strategy, which included shutting down some of its linear channels – starting with the Box music channels like 4MUSIC and Kerrang.
They also shifted to digital-first commissioning, focusing on content that drives streaming numbers.
Last year, they gave their streaming platform a fancy new look with a sleeker interface aimed squarely at younger viewers. The refresh brought in a more show-centric design, better navigation, and improved personalised recommendations.
YouTube Success Driving the Strategy
Channel 4’s YouTube push isn’t just a wild gamble – it’s based on some strong numbers. Their social media presence has been booming, especially on YouTube where audiences for full episodes of their shows shot up by a whopping 169% last year.
Shows like Gogglebox and First Dates have been pulling in millions of views (4.3 million and 2.9 million respectively), while their documentaries have also found a decent audience – Murder Case: Digital Detectives managed 4.2 million views.
The biggest success story has been “Channel 4.0“, their youth-focused digital brand that kicked off back in October 2022.
According to Sacha Khari, Channel 4’s Head of Digital Commissioning, Channel 4.0 has racked up 2.5 million subscribers and over a billion views in less than three years. Even more telling – a massive 85% of those viewers are under 34.
This year also saw the launch of “Channel 4 Served,” a dedicated food channel on YouTube, further expanding their digital portfolio.
Everything We Know About “A Comedy Thing by Channel 4”
“A Comedy Thing by Channel 4” will launch later this month on YouTube as a dedicated platform for original unscripted comedy content.
It follows the successful model of Channel 4.0 and Channel 4 Served, targeting primarily Gen Z viewers who consume entertainment online rather than through traditional TV.
Strong Watch Studios, backed by Hat Trick Productions (the company behind comedy classics like Have I Got News For You and Derry Girls), has been commissioned to produce the first wave of new formats and additional social content.
Unlike most Channel 4 comedy offerings, this new channel isn’t betting on established stars to pull in viewers. According to Deadline, “A Comedy Thing” launches with seven emerging comics who have built followings through YouTube and the stand-up circuit: Vittorio Angelone, Finlay Christie, Olga Koch, Gbemi Oladipo, Micky Overman, Mike Rice and Dan Tiernan.
This ensemble cast will appear across various comedy formats, from podcasts and crowd work to quick-fire gags and panel shows.
The content will be published weekly, with long-form programming running approximately 20-30 minutes, while shorter clips will be distributed across TikTok and Instagram.
The approach to content is particularly interesting. Sacha Khari told Deadline: “We are trying to make the formats feel very simple at the start because if they are too complex then they become abstract.
“The formats derive from what works well on YouTube but the big difference here is that we are combining the sensibilities of the [digital] talent with that kind of night where all you want to do is watch stand-up.”
This suggests they’re trying to create something that bridges the gap between traditional TV comedy and the more frenetic style that dominates YouTube – potentially offering something that works for both the TikTok generation and those who still remember when Channel 4 launched.
Khari also emphasised the channel’s connection to Channel 4’s comedy heritage: “Channel 4 has a long history of shaping British comedy, and with A Comedy Thing by Channel 4, we’re bringing that legacy into pixels. It’s built for a community who get their laughs online first but still love the buzz of a live gig.”
While the content will initially launch on YouTube and social platforms, it’s possible that successful formats could eventually make their way to Channel 4’s linear channels, though no official plans for this have been announced.
The Beginning of the End for Broadcast TV?
So are we witnessing traditional telly’s last gasp? Not quite yet.
While linear TV viewing continues to slide, particularly among youngsters who think watching something when it’s actually broadcast is some sort of weird historical practice, there’s still a sizeable audience that prefers the old-school broadcast experience.
What we’re seeing is more of a splintering of viewing habits, with broadcasters like Channel 4 adapting by creating different types of content for different platforms. It’s less “the end of TV” and more “TV, but make it 2025.”
For comedy fans, this could be good news. The traditional route into TV comedy has typically been through the stand-up circuit and radio, but YouTube and social media now offer alternative pathways for talented comedians to build audiences without having to impress some commissioning editor at the Edinburgh Fringe.
As more broadcasters follow this path – the BBC is also heading into a streaming-focused future with eventual plans to close linear channels – we’re likely to see a continued evolution in how British television content is produced, distributed, and consumed.
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