Channel 4’s Project Shuffle to offer new catch-up platform

UK broadcaster Channel 4 is lining up a new channel to offer repeats of recently aired shows.

According to the Guardian newspaper, the channel will enable viewers to catch-up with popular shows that have been aired within seven days. It is expected to launch in June.

Channel 4 is understood to have signed carriage deals with DTT platform Freeview and Sky for what is currently known as Project Shuffle, while talks with Virgin Media are ongoing. The cable operator is thought to have concerns that the channel could compete against its own catch-up services.

Channel 4 has also started pitching the channel to ad buyers, who are said to have backed the proposals.

According to the Guardian, potential names for the channel have been tested, including Channel 4 Squared, Channel 4 Plus Two, Channel 4 Two, Channel 4 Too and Channel 4 Shuffle.