Channel 4 CEO Andy Duncan is stepping down in January, after five years in charge. It comes at a period of huge uncertainty for C4, which is now seeking a CEO and a new chairman. The broadcaster’s TV travails are well-documented, but what must Duncan’s successor do online… ?
– 1. Rediscover the digital edge: In its troubled last 14 months, C4 has abandoned its ambitious digital radio plans, shut down its 4DS digital sales house and has revised the investment timetable for the 4iP new media fund. Duncan boasts Digital Britain endorsed his vision for public service TV in the digital age – but, in these lean times, will a new CEO have the courage (and the cash) to follow that path, or are more digital activities set for the chop?
– 2. Find partners fast: The proposed merger of C4 and BBC Worldwide would reportedly have set up an online JV to house each company’s digital assets. Those talks have now been on and off for nine months with little end result in sight. And Project Kangaroo’s failure has deprived C4 of its planned means to monetising its TV archive. But a new CEO must now look beyond 4′s own 4oD platform and consider what – amongst the growing panopoly of options like iPlayer, Arqiva and Hulu – will give it the widest possible audience.
– 3. Back 4iP or ditch it: The £50 million startup fund is costing C4 £20 million. That’s a large amount to fund experimental projects, and critics will surely ask whether it represents value for money after C4 was forced to cut a quarter of its workforce in 2008. Duncan’s successor must either defend and demonstrate 4iP’s relevance and benefits to its core purposes or bottom line, or consider whether to call time on the project.
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