Market View

Platform monetisation: The evolution of revenue models in a subscription-saturated market

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Angus Mitchell

Customer & Commercial Leader at Channel 4

About Angus Mitchell

Angus Mitchell serves as Customer & Commercial Leader at Channel 4, where he leads a team of 42 professionals across multiple disciplines including digital, agency, client, trading, social branded entertainment, airtime sales, product placement, and sponsorship. His team is responsible for delivering over £390 million in revenue annually. With extensive experience in television broadcasting and advertising, Mitchell has been instrumental in driving Channel 4's digital transformation strategy while maintaining its commitment to quality content and public service values.

How are you balancing the transition to a digital-first approach while maintaining your traditional television offering?

For us, it's about maintaining a strategic balance between streaming, which is clearly where the industry is heading, and the current reality of linear broadcasting. We often describe it as managing the clutch control between these two spheres. Linear television remains critically important and generates a substantial portion of our revenue. We're fortunate to be ahead of the curve, with 30% of our revenue now coming from digital channels – up from 22% two years ago and 16% five years ago. This significantly outpaces the industry average, where broadcasters typically generate about 10% of revenue from digital.

The most significant challenge emerged when we launched our "Fast Forward" strategy, which represented our pivot towards digital. This meant commissioning content with digital distribution as the primary consideration. The single biggest shift was cultural, with many colleagues initially apprehensive about what these changes would mean for their roles. In reality, it was simply a strategic realignment – understanding where viewing habits were trending.

Given what we observed with younger audiences, particularly 16 to 34-year-olds where 42% of viewing came from our streaming service last year, this transition was vital. We've now set a target that by 2030, 50% of our revenue will come from digital sources.

We're constantly balancing streaming, which is clearly where the industry is heading, and the current reality of linear broadcasting. We often describe it as managing the clutch control between these two spheres.

What approaches to platform monetisation are proving most effective for Channel 4?

As a public service broadcaster, we have a unique formula, but that doesn't mean we don't care about money. We're 100% supported by ad revenue – we receive no government funding – so how we generate revenue is a huge responsibility.

Our approach has evolved to include multiple revenue streams. We've launched 4 Plus for viewers who want an ad-free experience, with a goal to double subscribers by 2030. We also have the Indie Growth Fund supporting emerging production companies, Four Ventures (our media for equity arm investing in high-growth startups), and branded content where we leverage our in-house expertise for brands.

I think we have an advantage as traditional ad-supported broadcasters compared to subscription services now moving into advertising. We have a deeper understanding of ad tolerance, optimal frequency, and how programmes should be structured with commercial breaks in mind.

We're also exploring e-commerce opportunities. During the pandemic, we observed a significant acceleration in e-commerce adoption. We've conducted tests with shoppable advertisements, such as implementing QR codes in Jamie Oliver's Air Fryer Meals programme, enabling viewers to purchase the featured products directly.

What is your approach to content discovery and personalisation as content libraries grow?

Viewing paralysis is a huge issue as content libraries expand. To address this, we're delivering a streaming experience that enhances discovery through data and user interface improvements, while maintaining our role as a trusted content creator.

What makes our approach unique is the balance between AI-driven personalisation and human editorial oversight. We launched what we call an "unalgorithm algorithm" to address the echo chamber effect that many recommendation systems create. While we employ algorithms like other platforms, we also curate collections and drive discovery of content that viewers might not realise they wanted to watch.

This stems from Channel 4's unique position. Our founding mission included representing otherwise unheard voices and reflecting Britain in all its diversity. So while we use technology to personalise the experience, we also deliberately expose viewers to different perspectives and content they might not typically select. We're combining the best of technology with a human-led approach that serves both advertisers and viewers.

We've launched what we call an 'unalgorithm algorithm.' The idea was to address the echo chamber effect of many recommendation systems while still helping viewers discover content they might not have considered.

With AI, we're not looking to replace creators, but empower them. We've launched a consortium to explore AI's role in supporting underrepresented content creators and examining potential bias within AI systems.

What role do you see AI and automation playing in improving platform economics?

AI is a key enabler for efficiency – reducing operational costs in areas like large file transfers, enhancing targeting through AI-driven segmentation for addressable ads, and supporting creative processes with AI-assisted editing and post-production.

But the real focus is that we're not looking to replace creators, but empower them. We've launched a consortium to explore AI's role in supporting underrepresented content creators and examining potential bias within AI. This aligns with our remit of celebrating the UK in all its glory.

One particular opportunity we're investigating relates to the "fat end of the long tail" of advertisers. Television naturally has more barriers to entry because it's a regulated environment. We're examining how AI might create a more accessible journey for smaller advertisers who might otherwise find the compliance requirements challenging.

While embracing these opportunities, we're also mindful of challenges around bias, transparency, and creative integrity through our advisory group responsible for AI deployment.

How do you evaluate technology investment decisions?

When evaluating potential investments, market demand is crucial. We talk extensively with our customers about how we can help them and where they're heading. With the growth in our digital business, first-party data and partnerships with data providers have become increasingly important.

We test viability through small closed tests or soft launches with selected brands and advertisers. We typically look at a 3 to 5-year horizon for return on investment.

Our approach to technology involves partnering with companies at an early stage of development. This allows us to shape the product evolution and ensure it becomes genuinely fit for market purposes. The primary advantage is gaining early access to innovation, while challenges typically emerge when partners undergo significant changes or when our requirements evolve beyond their capabilities.

About Channel 4

Channel 4 is a British public-service broadcaster that operates as a publicly-owned but commercially-funded corporation, generating over £1 billion in annual revenue. Established in 1982, it commissions content from independent production companies rather than producing in-house, fulfilling a unique remit to represent diverse perspectives, support the British creative industry, and deliver bold, experimental programming. The broadcaster has built its reputation on innovative content delivery, being the first UK public service broadcaster to launch a catch-up service and consistently pioneering digital-first strategies.

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