Channel 4
The site of a UK public-owned broadcaster with on-demand streaming and original programmes.
Channel 4 at a glance
Channel 4 is an entertainment & streaming website and one of the most visited sites in United Kingdom, currently ranked #115 in the country. It was founded in 1982 by UK Government and is headquartered in London, UK. Today Channel 4 is owned by Channel Four Television Corporation. Our estimates put its audience at ≈ 60 million visits per month. The business earns money mainly through tv advertising, digital advertising. Its closest rivals include itv.com, my5.tv, bbc.co.uk/iplayer.
Traffic statistics
Traffic history
| Period | Visits | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Q1 | ≈ 56.4 million / month | +2% |
| Q2 | ≈ 58.2 million / month | +3% |
| Q3 | ≈ 60 million / month | +3% |
| Q4 | ≈ 63.6 million / month | +6% |
Traffic sources
- Direct63%
- Organic search21%
- Social8%
- Referral5%
- Paid3%
Audience & demographics
- Men54%
- Women46%
- Age 18-2428%
- Age 25-3429%
- Age 35-4421%
The audience is concentrated in United Kingdom, skewing urban and mobile, with usage peaks in the evening hours.
Geographic reach
- United Kingdom86%
Home market
- Diaspora and neighbouring markets7%
- Europe3%
- North America2%
- Rest of world2%
SEO profile
- Estimated organic traffic
- ≈ 18 million visits / month
- Branded share of search
- High — brand terms lead the keyword profile
- Indexed pages
- Large — category, listing or article level
- Primary search market
- United Kingdom
Top organic keywords
| Keyword | Position | Volume | Traffic share |
|---|---|---|---|
| channel 4 | 1 | Very high | Dominant |
| watch online | Top 10 | High | — |
| live stream | Top 10 | High | — |
| subscription price | Top 10 | High | — |
Backlink profile
- Referring domains
- Tens of thousands
- Link profile
- News coverage, directories, blogs and partner sites
- Authority
- High within the United Kingdom web
Top referral sources
- News and media31%
- Directories and aggregators24%
- Blogs and forums20%
- Partner sites14%
- Other11%
Technology stack
Website technologies
Advertising & analytics technologies
Stack details are inferred from public front-end signals and engineering communications; internal systems may differ.
Mobile app statistics
Available in the local store
Available in the local store
- App share of traffic
- ≈ 74% mobile
- Position in country
- Among the leading entertainment & streaming apps in United Kingdom
Company information
- Website
- channel4.com
- Sector
- Entertainment & Streaming
- Owner
- Channel Four Television Corporation
- Owner type
- State-owned company
- Founders
- UK Government
- Founded
- 1982
- Headquarters
- London, UK
- Employees
- 1,000+
- Ownership
- Channel Four Television Corporation controls the platform. Ownership details are based on public filings and press reporting.
- Revenue
- ≈ $1.3 billion annual revenue (est.)
- Languages
- English
- Top traffic sources
- direct, organic search, social
Financials
- Revenue
- ≈ $1.3 billion annual revenue (est.)
- Ownership
- State-owned company
- Reporting
- Figures based on public filings, press reports and market estimates
Business model & revenue
Channel 4 operates an entertainment and streaming service focused on United Kingdom. The site of a UK public-owned broadcaster with on-demand streaming and original programmes. Revenue comes mainly from tv advertising, supported by the other lines listed below.
- TV advertising
- Digital advertising
Products & services
Related deals on Amazon
As an Amazon Associate, Global Site Index earns from qualifying purchases.
International presence
- Primary market
- United Kingdom
- Expansion
- Regional and diaspora audiences beyond the home market
Employee statistics
Customer statistics
Website rankings
- Country rank (United Kingdom)
- #115 in this index
- Sector rank
- Leading entertainment & streaming site in United Kingdom
- Global rank
- 1000
Main competitors
Website comparisons
| Website | Monthly visits | Rank | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| itv.com | ≈ 36 million / month | #116 class competitor | — |
| my5.tv | ≈ 27 million / month | #117 class competitor | — |
| bbc.co.uk/iplayer | ≈ 18 million / month | #118 class competitor | — |
What is Channel 4?
Channel 4 (channel4.com) is an entertainment and streaming service serving users in United Kingdom. The site of a UK public-owned broadcaster with on-demand streaming and original programmes. It ranks #115 among the most visited websites in the country in this index, within the entertainment & streaming category.
Who owns Channel 4?
The site is operated by Channel Four Television Corporation, founded by UK Government. The company was established in 1982 and is headquartered in London, UK. It employs around 1,000+.
Traffic and audience
Traffic estimates place Channel 4 at roughly 60 million visits per month, about 2 million per day. Around 74% mobile of sessions come from mobile devices, and visitors view about 6.9 pages per visit with an average session of 14 min.
How Channel 4 makes money
Revenue comes primarily from tv advertising, alongside digital advertising.
Competitors in United Kingdom
Its closest rivals include itv.com, my5.tv, bbc.co.uk/iplayer.
Data and accuracy
Company facts are drawn from public sources. Traffic, revenue and audience figures are third-party estimates or sector benchmarks, marked with ≈ where modelled, and are reviewed periodically.
Company history & milestones
- 1982
Channel 4 is founded in London, UK.
- Growth phase
Expands its entertainment & streaming offering and moves to a mobile-first product.
- Today
Ranks #115 among the most visited websites in United Kingdom.
User reviews & ratings
| Source | Score | Reviews | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Play | ≈ 4.3 / 5 | — | Ratings from the local store listing |
| App Store | ≈ 4.5 / 5 | — | Ratings from the local store listing |
| Consumer review platforms | Mixed | — | Service and support are common themes |
App store ratings are solid, while consumer review platforms show the usual friction around support and service quality.
Pros & cons
Pros
- Large local content library
- Live sports or exclusive originals
- Works across mobile, web and TV apps
- Affordable local pricing tiers
Cons
- Content rotates out of the catalogue
- Ad-supported tier interrupts playback
- Rights restrictions limit some titles
- Streaming quality varies on weak connections
Key statistics
Frequently asked questions
Who owns Channel 4?
Channel 4 is operated by Channel Four Television Corporation. State-owned company structure, based on public filings and press reporting.
Where is Channel 4 headquartered?
Channel 4 is headquartered in London, UK.
When was Channel 4 founded?
Channel 4 was founded in 1982 by UK Government.
How many employees does Channel 4 have?
Channel 4 employs approximately 1,000+ people.
What is Channel 4's revenue?
Channel 4's revenue: ≈ $1.3 billion annual revenue (est.).
Who are Channel 4's competitors?
Main competitors in United Kingdom include itv.com, my5.tv, bbc.co.uk/iplayer.
How does Channel 4 make money?
Mainly tv advertising, digital advertising.
Is Channel 4 publicly traded?
Channel 4's ownership: State-owned company.
How many visitors does Channel 4 get?
Third-party estimates place Channel 4 at roughly 60 million visits per month, mostly from United Kingdom, with 74% mobile traffic.
Is Channel 4 safe?
Channel 4 is an established entertainment & streaming site founded in 1982 and ranked #115 in United Kingdom; use the official domain channel4.com and HTTPS.
Popular searches
Data sources & confidence
- Company website and public announcementschannel4.com
- Third-party traffic estimation providersSimilarweb-class estimates
Visit figures are modelled, not measured
- App store listingsApple App Store, Google Play
- Press and market coverageUnited Kingdom and international business media
- Data confidence
- Medium for company facts, medium-low for traffic and financial estimates. All modelled figures are rounded and marked with ≈.
- Last updated
- September 2026
Traffic, revenue and audience figures are third-party estimates or derived from sector benchmarks, and are reviewed periodically.
Social media profiles & statistics
Official brand account
Announcements and support
Community and campaigns
Company and hiring updates
Brand and product videos