Broadcaster has partnered with North Sails for three-episode Finite Films production

Channel 4_North Sails

Channel 4 has revealed its first digital branded entertainment series for its sport channels. 

The broadcaster has partnered with sailing equipment company North Sails to produce Force Of Nature, a three-part series produced by Finite Films & TV. Finite already has a relationship with North Sails, producing its digital first series Challengers. 

The three ten-minute episodes will be shown exclusively on Channel 4 Sport’s digital channels, premiering on Channel 4 Sport’s 200,000 follower YouTube channel from 16 July with highlights also available on Channel 4 Sport’s TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook. It is directed by Finite’s Paddy Hughes. 

Force Of Nature stars three athletes backed by North Sails’ sister company North Action: Cohan van Dijk on the kiteboard, Noé Cantaloube on the wing foil and windsurfer Pierre Mortefon. The trio go head-to-head on who can go the fastest, who can jump the highest and who can do the most tricks, using North Sails gear, with Channel 4 Formula 1 presenter Ariana Bravo commentating on the action. 

Hanz McDonald, digital commissioning executive at Channel 4, said: “Watching three, elite athletes going head-to-head in a first of its kind contest is a thrilling addition to Channel 4’s Sport social channels. Finite Films & TV have created an unforgettable series with North Sails as the perfect brand partner for such an ambitious content series.”   

Amy Gardner, founder of Finite Films & TV, creator and executive producer of the show, said: “Force Of Nature marks the continuation of our partnership with North Sails, and we could not have found a better home for the series than Channel 4 Sport. It speaks to a growing appetite among UK audiences for premium sports content across both linear and digital platforms. We are proud to have delivered the first social branded entertainment commission for Channel 4 Sport’s digital channels, and we look forward to sharing the series with audiences for the first time during this summer of sport.”

Klaus Warkentin, chief commercial officer at North Action Sports, said: “Force Of Nature reflects what the North family of brands stands for: a passion for the wind, pushing boundaries, and connecting people through authentic experiences. By bringing together world-class athletes from different wind-powered disciplines in a social-first format, we can introduce new audiences to the excitement of our sports while staying true to the spirit of adventure and performance that defines North. We are proud to partner with Channel 4 and Finite Films & TV to bring this story to life.”

Sam Hicks, head of advertiser strategy at Channel 4, said: “It’s been great working with North Sails to bring this branded entertainment series exclusively to Channel 4 Sport’s social channels. We’ve seen how positively viewers reacted to having more ways to watch both Paralympic Games coverage and the EuroHockey Championships across Channel 4’s social channels, and so we are excited to offer our audiences some new adrenaline filled content to get stuck into.”