The support includes a drama IP fund for acquiring rights to source material that reflects diverse voices

Channel 4 has launched a new plan to drive diverse representation across drama and comedy, with a new Creative Equity Drama IP Fund headlining the new strategy.

The fund, described by C4 as the ‘first of its kind in the UK’, aims to assist ethnically diverse-led indies to option high-value IP – securing the rights to books, plays and web series that reflect diverse voices, aligning with Channel 4’s Fast Forward strategy.

The IP fund has been developed with input from the Black Indie Group, and in recognition of this, Channel 4 will allocate at least 50% of the fund’s first-year investment to Black-led Indies.

Other key elements of the diversification push include:
• Black Women in Scripted x Channel 4 Short Film Showcase – featuring films by Black women and non-binary creators, celebrating innovation in scripted storytelling
• Creative Equity Labs – a series of development platforms to empower creators across the Nations and Regions:
• Development & Empowerment Lab with LEAP
• ESEA Comedy Lab with EAST
• Creator Labs with South Asian Creatives

The strategy has been formulated by C4’s Creative Equity and Scripted Commissioning teams.

Ian Katz, chief content officer at Channel 4, said: “Great storytelling thrives on new perspectives and this collaboration between Channel 4’s Creative Equity and Scripted teams, alongside 4Skills, reiterates our unwavering commitment to championing ethnically diverse talent and indies, and nurturing groundbreaking ideas.

“We believe this will strengthen the wider creative community by empowering talent and helping indies overcome barriers.”

Kolton Lee, chair of the Black Indies Group, added: “The Creative Equity Drama IP Fund is an important collaboration between Channel 4 and BIG. It is a significant step forwards in addressing the very specific, long-standing barriers that have faced the Black British creative community.”