4School’s ‘Pitch a programme’ Competition has launched

By Jade Gilbert

Posted: 03 February 2023

Have what it takes to pitch your ideas to a real-life Channel 4 Commissioner?

It's Time to Pitch a Programme! 

The annual Pitch a Program competition has officially launched today. 

As a result of the overwhelming response to last year's competition, Pitch a Programme has become a staple for the 4Schools project. The competition provides students interested in media and entertainment a chance to test their mettle and present their ideas to real-life Channel 4 professionals.

This year, the competition has two exciting categories: key stage 3 and key stage 4, and each school can submit up to three entries for each.

Participants will have the opportunity to pitch their idea to a panel of Channel 4 judges. All entries at the national finals will be scored based on how well they’ve met the brief, the presentation of the programme idea and the video trailer.

The Brief

Imagine Channel 4 is looking for a new show to add to their lineup, whether it's a documentary, drama, comedy, or reality - anything goes! The show can be set in the past or the future, but not in 2023.

The competition will challenge participants to think outside the box and come up with a programme idea that highlights what life is like in modern Britain and explores how we are “All Together Different”. Students will be able to create a pitch and a 30-second teaser trailer to persuade the commissioners that their idea is the best.

The Judges 

This year’s competition will be judged by two industry experts from Channel 4; Catriona, a digital commissioning exec who was previously making original content at LADBible, including MINUTES WITH and celebrity junkets and Evie a Digital Commissioning Editor who commissions ideas across all of Channel 4’s digital platforms. This includes YouTube, Snapchat, TikTok, Instagram and Facebook. 

"Last year we were blown away by the quality of thinking and presentation displayed by all of the young people who participated. This year, I am thrilled to be joining the judging panel for the 2023 Pitch a Programme competition. I'm excited to see what this year's creative minds and talent have to offer." – Evie – 4Schools Competition Judge

“Students are exactly the audience we are always trying to reach, so I'm really looking forward to getting to judge all of their great new ideas!” - Catriona – 4Schools Competition Judge

The Grand Prize 

The grand prize for the National Finals winners will receive an invitation to an exclusive Channel4 experience day, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see what goes on behind the camera!

Come and ‘Pitch your Programme’ 

The competition is now open for entries, and applications for the national finals will be accepted until May 31, 2023, at 4 p.m.

If you have an idea that's perfect for the pitch a programme competition, then register now and receive your Competition Pack, which includes a full brief, templates, and helpful information sheets to help you navigate the process.

We can't wait to see your ideas and creativity this year.