This week Leeds City Region launched an exciting campaign called #4Sparks to attract the relocation of Channel Four, a move fully backed by True North.

Alongside Screen Yorkshire and other television indies, as well as all the local authorities, cities and towns that make up the Leeds City Region, True North are fully committed to a campaign which marks an unprecedented show of solidarity and determination to bring the broadcaster to Leeds.

Andrew Sheldon, Creative Director of True North, said:”Leeds and the surrounding cities and towns provide a unique opportunity for Channel Four to create a new generation of content makers.

“Channel Four prides itself on its diversity and its relocation to this region would be transformative, as it would offer fantastic opportunities for the growing number of young, culturally diverse talent that call this part of Yorkshire home.”

Young creative content makers have also come together to give their backing to the campaign and express how, by heading to Yorkshire and engaging with new voices and talent, Channel Four could spark a revolution in the creative and screen industries.

Maariah Hussain, Bradford-based actor in Channel Four’s hit school-drama Ackley Bridge, filmed in Halifax and part-financed by Screen Yorkshire, said:

“It’s great to be part of #4Sparks because I’m really excited about the potential for Channel Four moving here. I’m proud to be part of a group of young, creative people from Bradford, York, Huddersfield and Leeds coming together to show how inspirational a Channel Four presence would be.

Roger Marsh OBE, Chair of the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LEP) added:

“There’s a real momentum here and I’m delighted the young creatives of the region have come together to champion the #4Sparks campaign, demonstrating that we offer a distinctive voice for Channel Four.

“We all know that the region is on the cusp of a real transformation and Channel Four are the spark, the opportunity that could lead that revolution.”

Yorkshire & Humber’s film and TV industries growth has outstripped that of every other part of the UK, including London and the South East.

The figures show that between 2009-2015, Yorkshire’s Film & TV Industries generated an annual turnover of £424m across 590 creative businesses (an increase of 247 per cent against the UK average of 118 per cent) with Gross Value Added (GVA) increasing 242 per cent in comparison to a UK average growth of 120 per cent. 

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