Channel 4 increased its spend on content commissioned from production companies in the North by 15% last year, its annual report has revealed.
The broadcaster said it spent a total of £186million across its TV portfolio on content commissioned from production companies based in the Nations and the English Regions.
Of that, £152m went to the English Regions – up 5% on 2017 – and 39% of that went to Northern companies, up from 34% in 2017.
Major commissions from the North this year included Countdown, made by ITV Studios.
In volume terms, Channel 4 recorded its highest ever level of investment in the Nations and Regions, sourcing 59% of the hours of first-run originated programmes on its main channel from suppliers based outside London.
In spend terms, 45% of Channel 4’s expenditure on first-run originated programming on the main channel was on programmes from suppliers outside London, the same level as 2017.
The news comes as Channel 4 begins its move to a new national headquarters in Leeds, as well as new creative hubs in Bristol and Glasgow, involving 300 roles and a spend of at least £50m.
Overall, the broadcaster grew revenues by £15m to £975m, ensuring a surplus of £5m, with total net assets of £439m (2017 £446m) alongside cash reserves of £180m (2017 £190m).
