Statements Chief Executive's statement Opening everything up for everyone

2021 saw Channel 4 enthral audiences, deliver on its remit and successfully continue its transformation into a digital, young PSB. It was a strong year creatively and Channel 4 has never been more representative of the entirety of the UK.

Big moments included the 2021 Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games (in which we covered more disabled sport than ever and featured a team of 70% disabled presenters) and the Black to Front Project (a world first in which we dedicated an entire day of programming featuring only Black talent, stories and contributors in order to make a step change in the industry), alongside distinctive programmes that only Channel 4 would make, such as It’s A Sin, We Are Lady Parts, Help and Davina McCall: Sex, Myths and the Menopause.

Through innovative partnerships and deals, in 2021 we created several key moments of shared national joy, bringing major sporting events to a free-to-air audience. These included the momentous US Open Tennis final featuring Emma Raducanu’s historic win, Test Cricket on free-to-air for the first time in 16 years, the nail-biting Formula 1 finale between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen, Paralympic sport and more. I’m delighted that we were named Sports Network of the Year 2021 at the British Sports Journalism Awards.

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