Commissioner's Q & A - Meredith Chambers

Channel 4 commissioning editor, documentaries is looking for the right subject for a major doc series as well as more Cutting Edgetales and he's got around £145,000 an hour to spend.

Channel 4 commissioning editor, documentaries is looking for the right subject for a major doc series as well as more Cutting Edgetales and he's got around £145,000 an hour to spend

What's your most recent commission?
The Seven Sins of England, a one-off that's a rude, riotous celebration of all that's supposed to be wrong with antisocial Britain. It's an attempt to try something new that might make a necessary point in a lively way.

What are you looking for in the next year to 18 months?
After Secret Millionaire'ssuccess, I want to find other ideas to pilot that take formats out into the wider world. I'm also keen to find the right subjects for a big documentary series, four hours and up - subjects that offer emotional engagement but have bigger political significance. I'm also looking for ideas for next year's run of Cutting Edge:present-tense adventure stories or smart experiments in documentary. I want the films to follow subjects over time - so there's real change rather than just a snapshot.

What's your budget?
£145,000 per hour but with flexibility - some more expensive, some cheaper.

What are you most proud of and why?
The Secret Millionaire. It was great that a high-rating format at 9pm shed light on social issues and celebrated people's best qualities.

What's the most exciting idea you've got in development?
A proposal for an update of the docu-soap idea. I can reveal no more.

Which indies are you most impressed by and why?
Twenty Twenty, North One, RDF, Silver River: all smart with a mischievous sense of humour.

What do you think your channel is missing?
I've no idea, but when I find out I'll commission it.

The best way to pitch to you?
Via our online commissioning system, www.4producers.co.uk.