Channel 4 Sales and Great Network strike ad partnership

Channel 4 Sales has been appointed advertising sales partner for the Great Network in the UK and Ireland, in a multi-year agreement beginning in January 2026. The partnership brings Great TV, Great Mystery, Great Action and Great Romance into Channel 4 Sales’ portfolio, replacing Sky Media in the role.

The deal strengthens Channel 4 Sales’ position as a trusted partner for media owners, building on its long-standing representation of BBC Studios-owned UKTV. It also expands the organisation’s scale as the Great Network continues to grow its footprint across Freeview, Sky and Virgin Media.

Great Network sees strong audience and SOCI growth

The Great Network reaches 7.5 million viewers monthly and has increased its share of commercial impacts year on year. Following its September brand refresh and updated channel line-up, October delivered the Network’s highest share of commercial impacts to date. It has also captured more than 50 percent of the movies market for the past two months.

Under the partnership, Channel 4 Sales will oversee all advertising inventory for the four linear channels and manage sponsorships across the portfolio.

Rak Patel, Chief Commercial Officer, Channel 4: "This partnership with the Great Network underlines the unique appeal of Channel 4 Sales to advertisers, and, as a sales partner for other broadcasters. Stable, British-owned and brand-safe, we have a track record of award-winning innovation allied to a progressive advertiser strategy marrying sales and service."

Narrative Entertainment points to momentum after relaunch

Paul Dunthorne, Managing Director of Narrative Entertainment: "Channel 4 have long been the creative leaders in both programming and ad sales, delivering compelling TV matched with innovation in the commercial arena. Since the inception of the Great channels, we have consistently beaten the market and grown our commercial impacts – and we’ve accelerated that growth with our September relaunch. Working with Channel 4 allows us to capitalise on that growth and deliver an even better service to our viewers and ad partners."

Irish advertising to be managed through Medialink

Channel 4 Sales will work with Medialink on advertising activity for the Republic of Ireland.

Fiona McCann, Sales Director, Medialink: "We are delighted to be part of this commercial partnership with Channel 4 and Narrative, representing the Great Network in the Irish TV marketplace. This adds valuable scale to our channel portfolio for 2026, bringing new opportunities for our agency partners and their clients."

www.channel4.com

www.great-player.com

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