UK’s Channel 4 launches catch-up channel

UK broadcaster Channel 4 is launching a new channel programmed with content it has aired over the previous seven days. 4seven will launch later this year, Channel 4 chief executive David Abrahams said at the FT Digital Media Conference in London this morning.

The channel will be the first new service from Channel 4 since 2005. It already operates an online catch-up service, 4oD, but said 4seven will allow viewers to catch up using their remote control rather than going online. The channel will launch on DTT service Freeview, cable service Virgin Media and satellite service BSkyB.

“With so much choice out there, viewers are increasingly saying they sometimes just miss the best stuff, despite their PVR and VOD,” Abrahams said. “4seven will give viewers more chances to catch the most popular and talked about Channel 4 shows from the last seven days.”

The broadcaster said the channel will be programmed with “content that is creating noise – amongst social media, bloggers, commentators and of course via contact our viewers have directly with us.”