January’s Indian Winter season also attracted a lot of viewer feedback, with Gordon Ramsay’s contribution – Gordon’s Great Escape – making it into the top 10 for both complaints and appreciative comments in our monthly Rated/Slated round up. Some described the programme as, ‘enjoyable and informative, amazing TV, best we have seen in years’, while the complaints centred on Gordon’s strong language. Many viewers expressed concern that his ‘fruity’ language may have offended the Indian people he met during the making of his series.

I spoke to One Potato Two Potato, the production company that made the series for Channel 4, and they explained to me that since Gordon had never been to India before, he had to deal with quite a culture shock during filming. As we know from his previous programmes, Gordon is used to being in charge, and a key part of this series was to see how he would handle situations where he was not in control. The production crew who accompanied as he travelled across in India believed his occasional swearing to be the result of bafflement and genuine frustration with himself and the unusual situation he found himself in.

The production company were also at pains to assure me that Gordon didn’t leave a continent of offended people behind him; in fact all the people they filmed with in India enjoyed meeting Gordon and found him both charming and personable. They recognised his occasional swear words as signs of personal frustration or confusion rather than being offended by them or by Gordon’s use of them.  One Potato Two Potato are currently negotiating the sale of the series to an Indian broadcaster, who is confident that viewers will greatly enjoy the show and not be offended by it – which should reassure those of you who wrote to us expressing concern.

So, onwards with 2010 with some interesting programmes on the horizon – not least the final Big Brother, which if this year’s CBB is anything to go by, should see the iconic series go out with a bang, and no doubt a great deal of viewer opinion! Watch this space for more – I’ll give you as much info as I can as and when we find out what Big Brother has in store.

After nine months in the job I’ve come to the conclusion that some things are worse than I thought – did you know that across all TV channels, men outnumber women by 2:1??; and some things are better  – though we still have a huge mountain to climb, the portrayal of disabled people in the Channel 4 series Cast Offs was truly groundbreaking.

But let’s start at the beginning. Some of you may be wondering, ‘what is diversity?’ At Channel 4 we believe that diversity is about dedicating time to different voices, viewpoints, perspectives, ethnic groups, backgrounds, genders, ages, sexualities, abilities and skills.

Channel 4’s programmes often score highly for diversity: for example disabled contestants on Deal or No Deal or Big Brother, prominent ethnic minority presenters like Gok Wan and Krishnan Guru-Murphy, programmes like The Family featuring an Asian household, TV seasons on older people, and gay celebrities and TV hosts throughout all our programming.  The fact remains, though, that we could do much better – not just onscreen, but offscreen too. For more on where we are in the ‘diversity debate’, please see my recent article in The Times, Recession is a call to arms over diversity in the workplace.

Our programmes are still made, on the whole, by people who have similar backgrounds. Either because, like me, they’re middle class (you’re more likely to get a middle class black woman walking through the doors of Channel 4 than a working class white boy from Aberdeen or Cardiff, though neither groups are well-represented!), or because they are mono-cultural. Across the TV industry, Britain’s programme-makers are much less diverse than Britain itself. And that can sometimes mean it’s much more of an effort to make TV programmes diverse, because they have to make an effort.This, in turn, is understandable. It’s well known in human resources departments that people recruit, ‘in their own image’, so if you’re a young white woman, your friends will most likely be young white women. And if you have an opportunity to hire someone, you’re more likely to choose someone from that same group; likewise, if you’re a middle age Asian woman, or an older white man.

In TV – as in life – job opportunities are too often determined by who your friends are, and who you know. This in turn makes our talent pool less diverse. And it means sometimes people from minority backgrounds can turn on the TV and see nothing that they feel ‘at home with’. I know the feeling. When I was growing up, I never saw anyone who looked like me on TV. Again, that’s changed massively, but at Channel 4 we know we have to do much more. Our 4Talent programme has a whole range of opportunities for people who may either be under-represented, or have no contacts or insider knowledge of the TV industry. Please take a look at the 4Talent website for more information, and pass on details to any of your friends who might be interested.

So what do I want to do? In a nutshell, I want to change the face of British TV. I want it to reflect all of us, not just some of us. That’s why I’m really pleased it’s Channel 4’s job to chair the industry’s taskforce on these matters.  The Cultural Diversity Network (CDN) was set up to get under-represented groups better represented on-screen. I don’t underestimate the job ahead, but our ‘Diversity Pledge’  is making great strides in the right direction.

But for now, I guess I better stop writing this and get back to some ‘real work’ – like watching a bit more TV!

If you’d like to share your thoughts about diversity at Channel 4, or in broadcasting in general, please do so by leaving your comments below.

Channel 4’s viewer enquiries team handled a total of 13,610 contacts (phone calls and emails) from viewers in January. Each comment or query was logged and the appropriate people at Channel 4 notified. Of these contacts, 1,475 criticised the channel and its shows, while 455 complimented the programmes broadcast.

Top 10 programmes most appreciated by people who contacted Viewer Enquiries in January 2010 (quote is an example of viewer comment):

1. Celebrity Big Brother (116 contacts)

   I just wanted to congratulate everyone involved in CBB 2010 for making it the best yet.  Haven’t really been into BB or CBB much in the last few years due to the fact that you seem to just put a bunch of weirdos in there!  However this year’s CBB was thoroughly enjoyable and I actually feel quite sad that it’s over.  Best TV I’ve seen in a long time so thank you very much!

2. How to Look Good Naked… With a Difference (34)

   The series is so positive! Gok has a wonderful approach to promoting the participants self esteem throughout the series. The issues addressing disability have been so sensitively handled. Well done! I look forward to seeing more of Gok to get the nation smiling!

3. Mo (23)

   Blown away! Thank you for the emotional rollercoaster that was ‘Mo’. Sympathetic to the most remarkable politician in modern times, it told the story of the rise and enforced demise of this remarkable woman. Julie Walters deserves the accolades for her portrayal of the ‘Peoples Politician’. I understand that she doubted she could do justice to the role but yet again her skills as an actress made the whole programme unmissable. Well done to all involved in the project and particularly to Dame Julie. From one Brummie to another.

4. Kevin McCloud: Slumming It (21)

   Brilliant!!! Kevin McCloud’s documentary was amazing, the best ever. I am glad I stayed home to watch this programme. Congratulations to Kevin and his team for their courage and sensibility showing the slum’s reality in such a clever and light approach, and thank you very much!!!

5. Indian Winter season (20)

   I have really been enjoying the Channel 4’s Indian Winter Season – Slumdog Secret Millionaire was as heart-wrenching as it was heart-warming. I’ve also enjoyed Slumming It and Slumdog Millionaire. A very good run of programmes, that I thought would get repetitive, but have instead just got better and better! Well done C4.

6. Gordon’s Great Escape (14)

   I really enjoyed watching the show, I love Gordon Ramsay – he inspires me, I have a passion for food and I love cooking Gordon gave me a lot of ideas. I have seen a lot of Indian cuisine from different cooking show but I haven’t seen any south east Asian trip from any celebrity chefs… It will be great to see other cuisine that is not much recognised by British people.

7. The Bible: A History (14)

   Congratulations on commissioning a great series that should be compulsory viewing for all! My thanks especially to Rageh Omaar, who presented a thoughtful and balanced view of a man who both divides and unites peoples, beliefs and nations… Great stuff Channel 4 (yet again providing programming that the BBC should be doing more of!). Keep it up please – much appreciated.

8. Slumdog Secret Millionaire (7)

   Your Secret Millionaire programmes including tonight’s in India have been such a moving source of inspiration.  Most of us in this country are millionaires compared to those who have to live in the slums of India.  And there are many heroes in this country who do so much for those in need here. Thank you for these programmes which deal with real issues and which are so moving and show us all how to live more thoughtful, compassionate lives.

9. The Family (6)

   I would just like to say what a brilliant series The Family was. They were so funny, and what a sense of humour they all had! In fact, one that I’d recorded we watched again last night, can’t you persuade them to do another series!! We just loved it!!

10. My Big Fat Diet Show (6)

    Wow what a great programme! The presenter is amazing, she did not talk down to us and she is so beautiful. Channel 4 should be so pleased with themselves for putting out a programme about dieting that was so interesting and informative. It certainly gave me something to look forward to watching. Cannot praise it and Anna Richardson enough. Channel 4 make sure you bring Anna back.

Top 10 programmes most criticised by people who contacted Viewer Enquiries in January 2010 (quote is an example of viewer comment):

1. Celebrity Big Brother (440 contacts)

   I have been a fan of BB and CBB for years. I am extremely disappointed that the task of an old folks’ home is deemed entertainment. When a person is too frail or unwell to look after themselves it is distressing for all involved and should not be ridiculed. I took particular offence to the liquidizing meals task, and have not watched any further to comment. It is clear that BB has run its course when the tasks are of this poor taste.

2. Gordon’s Great Escape (162)

   I was exceedingly disappointed by Gordon’s approach. There is no excuse to say that we, as the viewers, are used to his language and know what to expect. The Indian people he was in contact with will not have known what to expect and I’m sure will have been deeply offended. How dare he go to a country with mild-mannered, gentle people and treat them in such an offensive manner? There is no need. It’s about time Ramsay was taken off our screens.

3. Big Fat Quiz of the Year 2009 (44)

   What on earth possessed Channel 4 to pick the two biggest idiots of the year to be on a programme about the year? I am of course talking about Russell Brand and Jonathan Ross. Should someone not take that stupid smile of both of them so we can watch a ‘celeb’ worth watching – neither of them are funny so please for the sake of every TV viewer make it known that there might be a channel we could watch without seeing them ever again.

4. Kevin McCloud: Slumming It (30)

   I’m shocked at what he’s said, his complete lack of understanding, manners, sensitivity and tact! Also a total disrespect for the people crept in on a few occasions. To be honest I can’t believe Channel 4 have used this guy to do this show! I have watched Channel 4 since the day of its launch and have never complained before, but this show and the above has moved me to do so.

5. Bodyshock: The Girl Who Cries Blood (27)

   I would like to make a complaint about this programme because the ending was very inconclusive – it ended at the part where it was going to be proven whether this illness was real or purposefully brought on. I would like to know if you are going to make another documentary or are just going to leave it there.

6. 8 Out of 10 Cats (26)

   I was deeply offended twice by Jimmy Carr’s comments about God and Jesus. I do not believe that he would be allowed to make such comments about other faiths and as such Channel 4 is not being fair. I watch Channel 4 a great deal and this is the first time I have complained.

7. My Big Fat Diet Show (25)

   I am concerned this is promoting unhealthy eating and body ideals for women. Dropping a dress size in two weeks is very unhealthy, since (particularly for a larger woman) dropping ‘a dress size’ could mean losing over 20lbs. This is an incredibly unhealthy feat in 2 weeks, particularly as the women featured in the programme were not even overweight! Also, dieting for weight loss should include plenty of exercise, which was not emphasized in the programme. Overall, I was thoroughly disappointed that Channel 4 showed such an irresponsible programme which promotes an unhealthy diet. Shame on you.

8. The F Word (23)

   After watching an entertaining -  if patchy – series, it became apparent last night that the programme was not trying to discover the best local restaurant, but rather an individual chef than can turn out ‘Gordon- style’ food whilst providing free advertising for his own restaurant.  It is very annoying to see the goalposts moved so blatantly at the late stage of the series. I expect you will say this is just a personal view, but the fact that the last test required the Argentinean chef to cook something ‘more significant’ than he does in his own restaurant proves the case and removes any integrity this series had.

9. Indian Winter season (20)

   When the Channel was advertising the season, I was very excited about the programmes that would be shown to promote and highlight such a beautiful and cultural country.  However, upon looking at the schedule of programmes being broadcasted over the week I was bitterly disappointed on what was to be shown.  The programmes within  the Indian Winter Season are concentrating on one subject – slums and the plight of the slum kids, people etc especially in Mumbai, with Hindi films being shown in the ‘witching hour’. India is a huge country with a vast array of historical, religious, environmental and cultural heritage which Channel 4 has failed to consider.  It is the same old faces who have replicated the British programmes in another country.

10. The Bible: A History (19)

    In his introduction Rageh Omaar referred to Hebron ‘in Israel’s West Bank’; he may have used the word ‘disputed’. But the West Bank is not Israel’s – it belongs to the Palestinians. That is not disputed by the UN nor international law. A little later, he spoke of Palestinians ‘occupying’ the land – an unfortunate choice of words about that land. ‘Have lived in’ would have been better. Considering the conflict about right to land in Palestine, surely more care about facts and words should have been taken. Let alone the treatment of the Bible as history.

11. How to Look Good Naked… With a Difference (19)

    Why have you changed the title of the programme (…with a difference)? On one hand you are doing a good job of challenging social opinion and attitude towards disability but then you change the title of the programme as if to reinforce social stereotyping and ignorance towards people with disabilities. Is the lady in the programme a woman? The answer is yes, just like every other woman that has been on every other programme, facing the same issues of low self esteem and self confidence, which hopefully will be raised through Gok’s intervention. WHY is the title different this week?

With regular posts written by C4’s viewers’ editor, our blog is one of the best places to comment on the most high profile programmes and viewer issues. You can also rate and comment on monthly vox pops from The TV Show’s Big 4, which travels around the country gathering honest feedback from the people who watch our shows. And if you have something you want to say about television, but can’t find anyone else discussing it on the site, please use this area to kick start the debate by leaving your comments below. We’ll keep an eye on all your comments, along with those left across channel4.com, to make sure we respond to the issues important to you.

It’s your TV Show, guided by your opinions about television. Make sure you have your say!

Watch the video above to hear their opinions on recent shows including inlcuding Glee, Misfits, Come Dine with Me, Alan Carr: Chatty Man, Celebrity Big Brother, C4’s Alternative Christmas Message, Hollyoaks, Rude Tube and more.

Alternatively, take a look at video below in which these BB fans recall their favourite memory of the iconic reality show so far.

Do you agree with what they had to say? Let us know by rating the video, or posting your comments below.

Vist The TV Show’s new YouTube channel to see all previous videos, or to submit your own video response.

Next month: The TV Show goes to…. Oxford. Check our YouTube channel for full details.

From what we can tell, everything is working fine when it leaves Channel 4 – but programmes are now picked up and delivered to viewers via a number of different distributors and platforms, using various bits of kit, and it seems that some of these combinations are failing to deliver our subtitles correctly… We just don’t know yet exactly what or who is the culprit!

So, if you’ve experienced any problems with your subtitles (they may be out-of-sync with the visuals, or displaying incorrectly) while watching either Channel 4, E4, More4, Film4 or 4Music, please with let us know:

1. What programme were you watching?
2. When were you watching it?
3. What channel was affected?
4. What platform (i.e. Freeview, Sky, Virgin) were you using?
5. What type of set-top box do you have?

Please send this information to our viewer enquiries department here.

Hopefully, with some additional input from our ever helpful viewers, we can get to the bottom of this technical glitch and resume normal service soon.

In the meantime, our programme management team have asked us to stress that they are still transmitting subtitles on all services and ask you to please bear with them as they to work resolve the problem. Apologies for any inconvenience this has caused.

See also: Channel 4’s FAQs for Audio Description, Subtitles, Signing

Dispatches struck a positive chord with viewers last year with Inside Britain’s Israel Lobby generating the most positive comments of any new programme in 2009 and Unseen Gaza attracting much praise. The Cutting Edge film, Katie: My Beautiful Face also proved very popular with viewers.

Problems with the nationwide distribution of 3D glasses for 3D week triggered the most criticism from viewers – those that didn’t live near to a branch of Sainsbury’s were disappointed not to have been able to get the glasses in time. Read more about this in Paula Carter’s blog post, 3D Week: How was it for you?

Other criticised broadcasts last year included Could You Eat an Elephant? and the film America’s Sweethearts, which suffered an unfortunate technical glitch during transmission.

Top 10 appreciative comments 2009

1. Dispatches: Inside Britain’s Israel Lobby (419 contacts)
2. Dispatches: Unseen Gaza (231)
3. Cutting Edge: Katie: My Beautiful Face (179)
4. 3D Week (111)
5. DEC Gaza Appeal (75)
6. The Sex Education Show Vs Pornography (60)
7. How The Other Half Live (59)
8. Christianity: A History (57)
9. The Family (52)
10. How To Look Good Naked (36)

Top 10 critical comments 2009

1. 3D Week/Glasses (494 contacts)
2. Could You Eat an Elephant? (278)
3. America’s Sweethearts (216)
4. Christianity: A History (191)
5. Boys And Girls Alone (188)
6. The Kevin Bishop Show (163)
7. Wife Swap (155)
8. KNTV Sex (148)
9. Dispatches: The Trouble with Boris (146)
10. Dispatches: Inside Britain’s Israel Lobby (140)

Of the channel’s long-running series, Big Brother dominated viewer contacts last year with 4,940 complaints and 153 appreciative comments. Channel 4 News, which is broadcast every single day of the year, generated a relatively low 1,512 complaints and 541 appreciative comments.

How do you feel about 2009’s Rated/Slated? If you’d like to share your thoughts on the programmes Channel 4 broadcast last year, please leave your comments below.

The Family

Channel 4’s viewer enquiries team handled a total of 10,959 contacts (phone calls and emails) from viewers in December. Each comment or query was logged and the appropriate people at Channel 4 notified. Of these contacts, 866 criticised the channel and its shows, while 306 complimented the programmes broadcast.

Top 10 programmes most appreciated by people who contacted Viewer Enquiries in December 2009 (quote is an example of viewer comment):

1. The Family (19)
   We have thoroughly enjoyed watching The Family… The family is so entertaining and hope to see more programmes like this broadcast. I would love to meet The Grewals one day. Well done to all who have made this show.
2. Misfits (11)
   I just wanted to say that Misfits is one of the gems on TV at the moment. I hope it carries on for a while. The comedy script, acting, setting and the plot is all top-notch. Continue the good work.
3. The Queen (8)
   Excellent quality drama/documentary – and as someone who’s only lived in the UK since 2000 it’s incredibly informative. Keep up the good work!
4. Kirstie’s Homemade Christmas (8)
   Wow! What a totally scrummy show! Such lovely ideas and a great start to the festive season! Top marks to Kirstie!
5. Tsunami: Caught on Camera (8)
   I have never watched a programme like it, it was so interesting and touching and I would just like to say thank you very much for broadcasting this programme, it was so gripping and moving.
6. Everwood (7)
   I’ve recorded every single episode of Everwood and I think it is fantastic! I was sick one day from work and caught the first episode and I couldn’t miss it. Please please please keep it going! I look forward to it everyday and miss it completely every weekend! Thank you for showing it.
7. Man on Earth (6)
   Wonderful, refreshing and very interesting programme about climate change. Putting a whole different slant on it. Tony Robinson brilliant presenter. Also enjoyed previous programme – Catastrophe.
8. Tsunami: Where was God? (6)
   As a Christian, I was very interested to follow Mark Dowd’s journey of faith as he investigated the attitudes of various religions to suffering, and grappled with his own questions about God and suffering. I appreciated his honesty. Please pass on my thanks to him.
9. Alternative Christmas Message (5)
   Thanks for putting out such a wonderful Christmas message from Katie Piper. She really has become a treasure to us in this country and it’s fantastic to see her looking and feeling so great and also sending out such a positive message on this day.
10. The Nativity Story (5)
    Thank you so much for screening this film; this is just the sort of programme we need this time of year! Well done!!

Top 10 programmes most criticised by people who contacted Viewer Enquiries in December 2009 (quote is an example of viewer comment):

1. Curb Your Enthusiasm (44)
   The final episode of this season of Curb was an hour long, but only taped for 40 odd minutes on everyone’s Sky Plus. Are there any plans to show a repeat?
2. The Queen (39)
   A damaging study of the Monarchy and the Queen’s role in the most particularly difficult times, not taking account of the reign as a whole. More reprehensibly it increased the negative impact by the combination of documentary footage and interviews – which were reasonably balanced and fair – with drama episodes showing the Queen in a way that was neither accurate nor fair but imaginary, not based on fact and portraying the Queen’s personality in ways which were far from true-to-life and which in fact were a damaging misrepresentation.
3. Jamie’s Family Christmas (32)
   At the end of the programme it says recipes can be found on the website but they are not all there. Take a look at the blog page and you will get a sense of the frustration felt by your misleading information. How difficult can it be to put a recipe on a site?
4. Hollyoaks (24)
   Please think again about this storyline echoing the case of Jamie Bulger (if this is in fact true) it would be deeply upsetting and is in terrible taste, so I believe it degrades the programme.
5. Kirstie’s Homemade Christmas (23)
   This posh woman and her too posh Christmas decorations are ridiculous. I can’t believe she is paid probably a lot of money to do this. I bet 99% of your viewing women think the same as me. Awful nonsense.
6. Gordon Ramsay’s Christmas F Word (18)
   Full of Christmas spirit – let’s watch Gordon Ramsay, offensive at the best of times, hunt, kill and butcher poor old Rudolph! Not really something I want to watch at the best of times, but particularly not just before Christmas.
7. Heston’s Christmas Feast (14)
   I am deeply offended by this programme’s objective, which is to make the most expensive Christmas feast possible. In these extremely difficult times, many of your viewers are struggling to give our families a decent Christmas and this blatant snobbery and ostentation is repugnant on every level. I personally feel no affinity with Mr. Blumenthal and have no interest in his ridiculous concoctions. I certainly have no desire whatever to witness a handful of has-beens and Z-list ‘celebrities’ gorge themselves on food that has cost more than most of our entire Christmas budgets. Channel 4 is apparently sticking the proverbial two-fingers up at decent, hardworking people and the nature and timing of this programme is nothing less than insulting.
8. Alan Carr: Chatty Man (13)
   Why was it, when Alan was interviewing Sharon Osbourne, that he felt the need to repeat word for word in his script the insults that Sharon had previously levelled at Susan Boyle… It was pathetic! And very disappointing from what is usually an entertaining show. Were the script writers unable to come up with sufficient original material?
9. The Royal Institution Christmas Lectures (12)
   I am extremely disappointed to have missed this year’s Christmas Lectures because they were moved from terrestrial TV and broadcast the week before Christmas.
10. The F Word (10)
    I would like to comment that this season of the F Word is very disappointing to me. I loved it when it was families and normal people and Gordon promoting healthier cooking in people’s homes. This season is a joke
11. Tsunami: Caught on Camera (10)
    I think that it’s disgusting that you are playing Tsunami documentaries over the Christmas period, especially the style with peoples ‘home footage’ if you wanted to make a proper documentary to mark the event I could understand; it seems as though you are glorifying the event to make money and ratings with no feelings for the survivors.

With regular posts written by C4’s viewers’ editor, our blog is one of the best places to comment on the most high profile programmes and viewer issues. You can also rate and comment on monthly vox pops from The TV Show’s Big 4, which travels around the country gathering honest feedback from the people who watch our shows. And if you have something you want to say about television, but can’t find anyone else discussing it on the site, please use this area to kick start the debate by leaving your comments below. We’ll keep an eye on all your comments, along with those left across channel4.com, to make sure we respond to the issues important to you.

It’s your TV Show, guided by your opinions about television. Make sure you have your say!

One example was the recent transmission of the final episode of the current series of Curb Your Enthusiasm on More4. While it played out without any problems, there were clearly some gremlins that prevented it being recorded properly on Sky+ systems, as frustrated viewers were quick to inform us. Once we had identified the issue, the More4 team were quick to schedule a repeat of this episode, which will be broadcast on Sunday 27th December at 23.55 on More4.

Another glitch occurred with the recipes for Jamie’s Family Christmas. While we are only permitted to publish two recipes per episode on our website, some more gremlins managed to insert a banner into the programmes telling viewers that all the recipes were available at channel4.com. Some fancy footwork from our commissioning and online teams and a welcome dose of festive cheer from the production company gave us special permission to publish all the recipes for this series, which are now available here.

So the year ends on a positive note, and I wish all our viewers a wonderful Christmas and look forward to resuming the conversation with you in 2010.

Paula