To help us provide you with free impartial advice, we may earn a commission if you buy through links on our site. Learn more

Channel 4 ditches 4oD, announces new All 4 hub

All 4 logo

All six of broadcaster's channels, including Film4 and E4, will be bought together in a new online live and catch-up service

Channel 4 will kill off its 4oD service and replace it with a new, more comprehensive hub called All 4. The new service, which will launch in March 2015, is a “first for television” according to Channel 4 boss David Abraham.

All 4 will have three sections – On Demand, Now and On Soon and include all six of its channels: Channel 4, E4, More 4, 4seven, Film4 and 4Music. On Demand will replace the current 4oD service with On Now providing live streaming of current programmes and On Soon offering clips and previews of up-coming shows.

The move by Channel 4 is in response to the growing popularity of catch-up TV and the use of smartphone and tablet apps. Abraham said broadcasters needed to adjust to “changing viewer behaviour in the digital age”.

Channel 4 initially used YouTube for its catch-up TV service, hosting full-length programmes on the Google-owned video website. It has since moved its on-demand service to 4oD, with the new expanded All 4 hub bringing together all its channels for the first time.

As well as live, on-demand and preview content All 4 will also include special features and cast interviews. Channel 4 said that All 4 would be “increasingly personalised” with new functions and features to help people discover new programmes.

“We think the future of TV viewing lies not with either linear or on-demand, but a creative and visual integration of the two worlds, blending the strengths of both into a single brand,” Abraham said.

Read more

News