Channel 4

Channel 4.

Channel 4 is run by a chief executive, whose role can be compared to that of the Director-General of the BBC. Channel 4 is a British public service television broadcaster which began working on November 2^nd 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is publicly owned originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA), the station is now owned and operated by the Channel Four Television Corporation, a public body established in 1990, coming into operation in 1993, Channel 4 became a UK-wide TV channel for the first time.0+
Along with channel 4 there is also: Film4, E4, More4, 4Music, Channel 4’+1’, 50% of Box Television, Channel 4HD, 4Radio and 4Od/catch up.
In 2007 Channel 4 had bought 50% of Box Television Ltd for £28m from Emap plc.   It has since emerged that, as a result of Emap's decision to sell off its divisions in a break-up sale of the group, Channel 4 may be interested in acquiring the remaining half of the business. Box TV operates seven music TV stations (4Music, The Box, Smash Hits, Kerrang!, Q, Kiss and Magic).
Channel 4 was established with, and continues to hold, a remit of public service obligations which it must fulfill. The remit changes periodically, as dictated by various broadcasting and communication acts. And is regulated by various authorities channel 4 has been answerable to originally the IBA. Then the ITC and now Ofcom.
History of channel 4.
At the time the fourth service was being considered, a movement in Wales lobbied for the creation or dedicated service that would air welsh-language programs. The campaign was take so seriously by Gwynfor Evans (Was a welsh politician, lawyer and author) former president of plaid cymru that he threatened the government with a hunger strike were it not to honour the plans.
Funding of channel 4.
During the stations favourite year , funding came from ITV companies in return for their rights to sell advertisements in there region on the fourth channel. Nowadays it pays for its self in much the same way as most privately run commercial stations i.e. through the sale of on air advertising, programme sponsorship, and the sale of any programmes content  and merchandising rights it owns, such as overseas sales and video sales. It also has the ability to subsidies the main network through any profits made on the corporations other endeavours which have in the past included subscription fees from stations such as E4 and Film4 and its video on demand sales.
Channel 4 had also extended a movie themed-break for inception. A spokesman for Warner Bros' media agency PHD said it was the first time Channel 4 had extended the movie-themed break to accommodate one trailer.
Channel 4's total revenue for the year to 31 December 2005 was £894.3 million, of which £735.2 million was controlled by its main channel, and the remainder by its subsidiaries channels, sales of programming rights to other broadcasters, Operating profits for the year to 31 December 2006 fell 70% to £14.5 million from £56.9 million in 2005.