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MIPTV itself may not start until Monday, but the MIPFormats and MIPDoc conferences got underway Saturday April 7 in Cannes, with plenty of views and new formats to think about. Alex Mahon, CEO of UK broadcaster Channel 4, was the keynote speaker on the first day of MIPFormats, in conversation with KLOK non-executive director Gary Carter.

“The television industry has been irrevocably altered by the explosion of the internet,” said Carter by way of introduction, talking about the “desertion of younger audiences” in search of content on new digital platforms. Meanwhile, back on TV big formats are getting bigger, but it has been a while since a new “global super-format” appeared on the scene.

In response, Mahon talked about Channel 4’s history as the “challenger” in British broadcasting, with a remit for creative innovation and provocation. “Everything that we commission is from the independent community,” she noted. “Television has the power to change opinions, attitudes, minds,” she continued, referring to Channel 4’s coverage of the Paralympics, as well as its recent work on the breaking story of Facebook and Cambridge Analytics. “A broadcaster from a relatively small nation can make a big impact.”

What is her vision for Channel 4 over the coming years, and how will she judge its success? “What is our remit? It’s innovation, it’s risk-taking, it’s breaking new talent. It’s representing diversity. The concept of distinctiveness is more important than ever,” said Mahon. “And why are you relevant any more?… What do you provide to the market that others don’t?”

Mahon discussed diversity within the industry. Channel 4 is the most-diverse British broadcaster in terms of ethnicity, but she wants the channel to become even more of a “beacon” for diversity of all kinds.

“Fundamentally, it’s the indicator of commercial success. It’s my belief that to run a creative business, you need to have a room made up of people with different backgrounds and different points of view… and secondly, a culture of honesty so you can discuss things,” she said. “That’s why I’m so interested in diversity, because I think it leads to greater commercial success… If you have creative success, commercial success follows… The bullseye for me is something that’s creatively good and commercially successful.”