E4 plans mobile content

Channel 4's digital channel E4 is to become part of a 'converged network' featuring user-generated and mobile phone content.

Channel 4's digital channel E4 is to become part of a 'converged network' featuring user-generated and mobile phone content.

The plans were revealed by head of E4 Danny Cohen at an Edinburgh International Television Festival media event in London last night (21 February).

He said the converged network - which could be launched later this year -will feature 'different components' that 'feed off each other'.

The user-generated content could be in turn used in future programming.

Meanwhile, Cohen, who is also Channel 4 head of factual entertainment, criticised the current quality of popular factual television and said the industry needed a 'creative power surge' to inject fresh ideas into the factual market, which he said was dominated by programmes about fat people or plastic surgery.

He said: 'Popular factual is sort of swimming around in its own juices at the moment.

'We need to move on a bit - we need a creative power surge and often it's just one idea or programme that can stimulate different ideas. There is a whiff of familiarity at the moment.'

He said C4's documentaries could afford to be 'a bit more provocative'.

'There is so much factual stuff out there it's hard to get that stuff noticed,' he said.

'I think we need to be a lot naughtier with it.'

Cohen said he could not comment on the row over Celebrity Big Brotherbecause of investigations currently being carried out by C4 and Ofcom.

But he defended the channel's right to be 'provocative' and said: 'It's crucial that C4 does not lose its nerve and we keep on being provocative.

'It's part of our DNA to show things others wouldn't. C4 is at its absolute best when it is at the edge of the precipice peering over.'

Regarding the eight series of Big Brotherdue to start this summer, he said there were no plans to tone things down and said he was just 'pinning down details' of what the new series will include.

Regarding E4, Cohen said there would be more 'home-grown' programmes this year, including new comedy and drama.