Channel 4 to launch 'Shuffle' catch-up TV channel, says report

Channel 4 intends to launch a new television channel this summer which will enable viewers to catch up on missed shows such as Big Fat Gypsy Weddings and New Girl, according to a report.

The new channel, understood to be codenamed internally as Project Shuffle, is designed to give viewers another chance to watch programmes in the seven days after they have been broadcast.

It is thought that the channel would complement the existing Channel 4+1 timeshift network, and video on-demand service 4oD.

The Guardian reports two "media industry sources" as claiming that Channel 4 has already secured a Freeview slot for the channel, and has agreed a carriage deal with Sky.

Talks with Virgin Media are thought to have been more complicated, as the cable TV operator is concerned about the channel taking traffic away from its own catch-up TV service.

Virgin Media has invested heavily in its video on-demand platform, and currently offers all the catch-up TV services from the UK public service broadcasters.

Sky has instead placed greater onus on the television channels and live TV content offered on its satellite platform.

In terms of the Sky carriage deal, it could be that Channel 4 looks to acquire the slot owned by Current TV after the network put it up for sale following the collapse of its pay-TV deal with Sky.

Channel 4 is not thought to have confirmed a launch date for the Shuffle channel as yet, but The Guardian feels that June could be the most likely window.

A source with knowledge of Project Shuffle told the paper that it will operate "a tiny bit" like Sky Anytime, Sky's video on-demand service. But they also described the network as being "equivalent of [a] staggercast or video on-demand on your TV, delivered as scheduled viewing".

A range of names are being considered by Channel 4 for the service, including 'Channel 4 Squared', 'Channel 4 Plus Two', 'Channel 4 Shuffle' and 'Channel 4 Too'.

However, the sources were quick to play down any comparisons to Gold, the UKTV operated channel which generally shows reruns of classic BBC comedies.

"In the old days, repeats were bad things - but you have to remember that this is not just an attempt to make a UK Gold, this is new, popular stuff just transmitted in the UK," said one insider.

Channel 4 is thought to believe that the Shuffle project could help it offer more advertising inventory around popular new shows, as well as ensure it maximises audience share for programmes.

"If there is something like a Sherlock [on BBC One] or a major show on a commercial rival then Channel 4 takes a big hit," a source told The Guardian.

"If light viewers miss an episode, especially the first, they tend to go away so this is a clever idea to keep them engaged in the prime window after first broadcast and it shouldn't cannibalise the main channel."

Another source with knowledge of the plan added: "Advertisers are genuinely pleased with the opportunity, there is certainly demand for it.

"Too quickly, too often this stuff falls off our screens. This gives an opportunity to re-engage with the big stuff that people want to watch on a TV screen. It gives two or three more bites at the electronic programme guide."

Earlier in the month, the BBC admitted that more than half the programmes broadcast on its channels last year were repeats, including a total of 3,144 rerun shows on BBC Three.