Channel 4

Launched 2 november 1982

Owned by channel four television corporation

Sister channels are E4, More4, Film 4 and 4music

The first voice ever heard on Channel 4's opening day of Tuesday 2 November 1982 was that of continuity announcer Paul Coia, who introduced the channel by saying, "Good afternoon. It's a pleasure to be able to say to you: Welcome to Channel Four", before heading into a montage of clips from its programmes set to the station's Lord David Dundas-penned signature tune, Fourscore, which would form the basis of the station's jingles for its first decade. The first programme to air on the channel was the teatime game show Countdown, produced by Yorkshire Television; it is still running as of 2008 and is contracted until 2009.

Upon its launch, Channel 4 committed itself to providing an alternative to the existing channels, an agenda in part set out by its remit which required the provision of programming to minority groups. Its new style of programming often drew critical attention, with some, such as the public-decency campaigner Mary Whitehouse, claiming the station had overstepped the boundaries of acceptability whilst others argued that the new style of broadcasting had led to a liberalisation of the UK television industry

The Channel 4 service was established under the Broadcasting Act 1981 and was originally provided for by the Independent Broadcasting Authority (the then broadcasting regulatory body which no longer exists). The Channel Four Television Corporation was established under the Broadcasting Act 1990 and all its publisher/broadcaster functions were transferred over to the new Corporation in 1993.

Channel Four Television Corporation was set up by an Act of Parliament. It is a publicly owned corporation and does not have any shareholders. The board is appointed by the television regulator - OFCOM - in agreement with the Secretary of State for Culture Media and Sport. The Chief Executive is Andy Duncan.

Unlike the BBC, Channel 4 receives no public funding. It is funded entirely by its own commercial activities. Most of our income comes from advertising revenue.

From the sun: ‘CHANNEL 4 faces a MULTI-MILLION pound bill after watchdogs said angry Big Brother fans could be refunded phone-vote cash. The premium-rate phone regulator ICSTIS is studying 2,700 complaints over BB plans to allow evicted housemates back on the show.Furious fans are demanding their money back after voting people out — and Channel 4 could be forced to pay back £3MILLION. ‘

This report in the sun explains the big brother scandal that channel 4 got in trouble for. When fans of big brother voted off the housemates that they did not like, big brother organized another vote to bring back housemates that have been evicted which angered fans as they paid for no reason. They rebelled and asked for their money back.