David Farnor | On 26, Jun 2014

Channel 4 today announced it has launched a fully mobile 4oD, enabling viewers to stream content wherever they are via 3G and 4G on iOS and Android devices – and watch exclusive original short form content in a new dedicated shorts hub.

Reflecting what the broadcaster has dubbed a growing demand for “snackable videos”, 4oD’s shorts hub curates a diverse selection of new and exclusive shorts – including magazine shows on subjects from films, games, news and current affairs; popular science and futurology series; comedy and satire formats; lifestyle and food shows; and engaging education formats for teens.

4oD’s shorts will feature familiar Channel 4 talent, from Jamie Oliver to Made In Chelsea’s Binky Felstead and Mark-Francis Vandelli as well as introduce new faces, writers and producers from both the TV and internet worlds.

The first original shorts will be available on 4oD from next month with titles to include: Craic Addicts, with Chris Greene and Peter Ganley taking a comedic look at how the emerging online and popular culture trends will change the face of society; Daughters and Fathers, where each find out what they think of one another; and Two Players, which sees two celeb friends chat and play video games together.

Richard Davidson-Houston, Channel 4’s Head of Online said: “Short form content is an incredibly exciting development both for viewers and for producers. We’ve already had a great response to Shorts from some of the UK’s most innovative new indies. Our doors and minds are wide open to ideas from forward-thinking producers who want to join in with this exciting new development.”

4oD’s original short form commissioning strategy is overseen by Channel 4’s Deputy Chief Creative Officer, Ralph Lee. Head of Online, Richard Davidson-Houston is leading the editorial and commissioning team.

The team are currently developing a raft of short content with the indie production community including The Connected Set, Don’t Panic, Atomized, Clearstory and Lemonade Money, amongst others – and will announce the full first tranche of original shorts commissions later in the summer.

There will also be a collection of advertiser-funded shorts.

Newly launched this month, Educating Binky, in partnership with Rimmel London working with OMD UK, sees Made In Chelsea stars Binky and Mark-Francis explore iconic fashion eras including The Victorians, The 50s, The 60s and The 80s – a must see for fans of E4’s BAFTA award-winning structured reality series. A second series with Rimmel London will follow in the autumn.

Home Truths, created in partnership with British Gas and Carat, is set to launch this summer. It is a lifestyle series with stories about home; the relationship we have with the homes we buy, make and live in.

Guy Martin stars in a new short series in partnership with Alfa Romeo – an extension of its Passion for Life sponsorship with Maxus Partnerships, which includes Channel 4’s Speed with Guy Martin series. The short films produced by North One Television (the company behind the Speed series) follow Guy as he fulfils his passions, from the Isle of Man TT to Grimsby Docks; from the inside of a WWII Spitfire engine to his garage full of state-of-the-art equipment.

The move rivals a similar initiative from the BBC, who have begun to commission Original Drama Shorts and Original Comedy Shorts featuring known Beeb talents and available exclusively on BBC iPlayer.

Jonathan Allan, Channel 4’s Director of Sales said: “The launch of our short form content hub builds on Channel 4’s industry leading reputation for digital innovation and reflects how our viewers are increasingly watching on the move.”

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