
Case Study
Channel 4
Channel 4
Channel 4
Channel 4
















Overview
Channel 4, one of the UK’s leading public service broadcasters, recognised the need to refresh its Over-The-Top (OTT) streaming platform to stay competitive in a fast-evolving market. Eager to streamline vendor selection across both product and technology, Channel 4 sought a structured and efficient approach to running a tender process. They chose Spicy Mango not only for our strategic expertise but also for our market knowledge and extensive reference materials - enabling the project to realise time and cost savings versus a blank canvas approach.
About Channel 4
Channel 4 is free-to-air and freely available to all of the UK. We have the UK’s biggest free streaming service, plus a network of six television channels.
Since Channel 4 was created in 1982, it has been at the centre of national conversations and a catalyst for the creation of a world-beating production sector in the UK.
Our purpose is to create change through entertainment. We do this by representing unheard voices, challenging with purpose and reinventing entertainment.
Our unique model – commercially-funded but publicly-owned – means that we’re able to offer independent and distinctive, universal content reflecting the interests of different communities across the UK.
As a publisher-broadcaster, Channel 4 commissions UK content from the independent production sector and currently works with around 300 creative companies across the UK every year.
The Challenges
In modernising its streaming capabilities, Channel 4 encountered a range of interlinked challenges that included an ageing technology estate, the need to harness market innovations, pressing time-to-market demands, and the careful balance between platform investment and ongoing operational costs. Surmounting these obstacles called for a strategic approach that would enable Channel 4 to optimise its in-house solutions while drawing on cutting-edge external expertise. Simultaneously, the organisation needed to respond swiftly to ever-changing viewer expectations, ensuring that expenditure remained justifiable and yielded tangible value.
Ageing Technology Estate
Channel 4’s in-house designed systems required significant investment to develop and maintain, limiting the broadcaster’s ability to deliver evolving business objectives and adapt quickly.
Use of Market Innovation
Channel 4 was looking to leverage streaming platform vendors’ expertise to operate and evolve the streaming platform. This would enable Channel 4 to focus efforts on maximising the commercial potential of their distinctive content. While cutting-edge OTT technology suppliers were readily available, Channel 4 needed a structured approach to discover and evaluate these external solutions effectively.
Time-to-Market Pressures
The organisation’s ability to roll out new features swiftly was compromised, hampering efforts to keep pace with changing viewer expectations and dynamic market conditions.
Balancing Platform Investment vs. Operating Costs
Channel 4 needed to carefully manage the overall cost of developing and running its product and technology platform, ensuring that investment delivered clear value without overstretching resources or inflating ongoing expenses.
What consumers expect of OTT platforms
Learn
Understand their content tastes: Consumers want personalised recommendations that reflect their unique interests and past viewing habits, so they can quickly discover new shows and films.
Proactive content guidance: OTT providers should introduce hyper personal experiences to help users easily navigate a vast content library, suggesting programmes or films that best match their mood, preferred genres, or trending topics.
Buy
Seamless subscription experience: Customers expect an effortless sign-up process, perhaps with one-click registration or the ability to subscribe through existing digital wallets or app-store accounts.
Relevant offers and bundles: Viewers appreciate special promotions or package deals based on their preferences or viewing history, driving higher perceived value from the OTT platform.
Get
Instant access and setup: Once a subscription is purchased, consumers want immediate access to content across all supported devices - without complicated logins or lengthy configurations.
Predictive onboarding: Intuitive tutorials or setup processes can suggest device optimisations, parental controls, or default language/audio settings tailored to the user’s profile, ensuring a smooth start.
Use
Adaptive streaming quality: If service issues arise - such as bandwidth constraints - consumers expect proactive notifications and automatic adjustments in streaming quality to avoid buffering or downtime.
Personalised content journeys: OTT services should analyse viewing patterns to recommend what to watch next, provide notifications when anticipated shows release new episodes, and offer curated playlists to keep engagement high.
Pay
Flexible payment and subscription options: Users appreciate dynamic pricing models (e.g., pay-as-you-go, tiered subscriptions, or bundled offers) that adapt to their budget or viewing habits.
Proactive account management: Advanced analytics can identify when viewers might be overspending or under-utilising specific channels or features, then suggest cost-saving options or alternative plans to match actual usage.
Support
Real-time, context-aware assistance: When technical issues occur - such as app crashes or playback errors—consumers expect instantaneous, channel-appropriate help, be it live chat, in-app guidance, or voice support.
Our Collaborative Approach
In partnership with Channel 4, through a series of workshops, we ensured that product, commercial, and technical goals were seamlessly aligned within a set of detailed requirements. By leveraging proven reference materials, we were able to clearly establish the project scope, significantly reducing the time needed to document requirements. In parallel, an objective vendor market assessment was conducted, identifying suppliers best suited to Channel 4’s strategic objectives.
Establishing the Tender Strategy
Working closely with Channel 4’s internal teams, Spicy Mango led a series of workshops to define priorities and success criteria for the tender:
Joint Prioritisation: We guided Channel 4 through aligning product, commercial, and technical goals into a single cohesive vision.
Clear Scope Definition: By leveraging our proven reference materials, we were able to reduce the time needed to document requirements, significantly shortening the project timeline.
Marketplace assessment: Spicy Mango provided an objective vendor market assessment against Channel 4’s strategy to identify vendors to invite to tender.
Crafting Structured Technical Requirements
To facilitate consistent evaluation, we collaborated with Channel 4 to create a comprehensive yet concise RFP pack:
Consistent Vendor Assessment: A well-defined set of functional and technical requirements enabled vendors to submit responses in a standardised format.
Transparent Evaluation Criteria: Scoring matrices - covering everything from technology stack compatibility to commercial viability - ensured an equitable assessment.
Streamlined Documentation: Our prior tender experience and templates helped Channel 4 quickly pull together a best-in-class RFP pack, substantially reducing drafting and review cycles.
Supporting the Tender Process
Rather than simply handing over documentation, Spicy Mango actively steered Channel 4’s teams through the process:
Project Governance: Joint governance structures that kept the process on track, with frequent checkpoints for stakeholder feedback.
Comparative Analysis: Once proposals were received, we supported Channel 4 in interpreting and comparing the technical responses, using our structured tools to expedite decision-making.
Timeline Acceleration
By applying our established frameworks, Spicy Mango enabled Channel 4 to conclude the requirements and initial technical evaluation process faster than originally planned:
Faster Requirement Collation: Our ready-made materials and proven methodologies removed the need for excessive back-and-forth, allowing Channel 4 teams to focus on priority decisions.
Efficient Stakeholder Alignment: Clear documentation and transparent technical requirements scoring simplified cross-departmental discussions, reducing the risk of delays.
Key Outcomes
By focusing on a collaborative, well-structured approach, Spicy Mango and Channel 4 achieved several significant outcomes:
1. Comprehensive Technical Requirements Pack
Channel 4 was provided with a robust, easy-to-reference technical requirements framework that supported consistent vendor comparisons
2. Reduced Project Timeline
Delivering the technical requirements earlier than projected enabled Channel 4 to move swiftly into solution selection - staying ahead of market pressures.
3. Stakeholder Alignment
Collaborative steering ensured full buy-in across Product, Technology, and other teams, strengthening the foundation for successful vendor relationships.
4. Future-Ready OTT Platform
By dedicating attention to both product and technology, Channel 4 is now primed for it's future with a modern, scalable OTT service that can grow with evolving viewer demands.
Conclusion
Channel 4’s tender process demonstrates the impact of a collaborative, well-structured approach to product and technology procurement. With Spicy Mango’s support, Channel 4 condensed the technical requirements authoring and assessment timeline by months, saving both time and money while ensuring all stakeholders remained actively engaged. By combining Channel 4’s deep operational insights with Spicy Mango’s vendor market knowledge, proven frameworks, and reference materials; the organisation is now set to deploy a forward-looking OTT platform that meets viewers’ high expectations and stands strong in a competitive market.
About Spicy Mango
Spicy Mango is a specialist technology consultancy that partners with media, broadcasting, and OTT providers to accelerate product and platform transformations. With deep domain expertise and a track record of successful project delivery, we help our clients simplify complex challenges - whether it’s modernising legacy systems, optimising workflows, or integrating cutting-edge solutions. Guided by a collaborative ethos, Spicy Mango leverages proven frameworks and reference materials to streamline procurement, reduce costs, and drive measurable outcomes. We pride ourselves on delivering future-ready platforms that empower clients to innovate, scale, and delight audiences in an ever-evolving digital landscape.
Overview
Channel 4, one of the UK’s leading public service broadcasters, recognised the need to refresh its Over-The-Top (OTT) streaming platform to stay competitive in a fast-evolving market. Eager to streamline vendor selection across both product and technology, Channel 4 sought a structured and efficient approach to running a tender process. They chose Spicy Mango not only for our strategic expertise but also for our market knowledge and extensive reference materials - enabling the project to realise time and cost savings versus a blank canvas approach.
About Channel 4
Channel 4 is free-to-air and freely available to all of the UK. We have the UK’s biggest free streaming service, plus a network of six television channels.
Since Channel 4 was created in 1982, it has been at the centre of national conversations and a catalyst for the creation of a world-beating production sector in the UK.
Our purpose is to create change through entertainment. We do this by representing unheard voices, challenging with purpose and reinventing entertainment.
Our unique model – commercially-funded but publicly-owned – means that we’re able to offer independent and distinctive, universal content reflecting the interests of different communities across the UK.
As a publisher-broadcaster, Channel 4 commissions UK content from the independent production sector and currently works with around 300 creative companies across the UK every year.
The Challenges
In modernising its streaming capabilities, Channel 4 encountered a range of interlinked challenges that included an ageing technology estate, the need to harness market innovations, pressing time-to-market demands, and the careful balance between platform investment and ongoing operational costs. Surmounting these obstacles called for a strategic approach that would enable Channel 4 to optimise its in-house solutions while drawing on cutting-edge external expertise. Simultaneously, the organisation needed to respond swiftly to ever-changing viewer expectations, ensuring that expenditure remained justifiable and yielded tangible value.
Ageing Technology Estate
Channel 4’s in-house designed systems required significant investment to develop and maintain, limiting the broadcaster’s ability to deliver evolving business objectives and adapt quickly.
Use of Market Innovation
Channel 4 was looking to leverage streaming platform vendors’ expertise to operate and evolve the streaming platform. This would enable Channel 4 to focus efforts on maximising the commercial potential of their distinctive content. While cutting-edge OTT technology suppliers were readily available, Channel 4 needed a structured approach to discover and evaluate these external solutions effectively.
Time-to-Market Pressures
The organisation’s ability to roll out new features swiftly was compromised, hampering efforts to keep pace with changing viewer expectations and dynamic market conditions.
Balancing Platform Investment vs. Operating Costs
Channel 4 needed to carefully manage the overall cost of developing and running its product and technology platform, ensuring that investment delivered clear value without overstretching resources or inflating ongoing expenses.
What consumers expect of OTT platforms
Learn
Understand their content tastes: Consumers want personalised recommendations that reflect their unique interests and past viewing habits, so they can quickly discover new shows and films.
Proactive content guidance: OTT providers should introduce hyper personal experiences to help users easily navigate a vast content library, suggesting programmes or films that best match their mood, preferred genres, or trending topics.
Buy
Seamless subscription experience: Customers expect an effortless sign-up process, perhaps with one-click registration or the ability to subscribe through existing digital wallets or app-store accounts.
Relevant offers and bundles: Viewers appreciate special promotions or package deals based on their preferences or viewing history, driving higher perceived value from the OTT platform.
Get
Instant access and setup: Once a subscription is purchased, consumers want immediate access to content across all supported devices - without complicated logins or lengthy configurations.
Predictive onboarding: Intuitive tutorials or setup processes can suggest device optimisations, parental controls, or default language/audio settings tailored to the user’s profile, ensuring a smooth start.
Use
Adaptive streaming quality: If service issues arise - such as bandwidth constraints - consumers expect proactive notifications and automatic adjustments in streaming quality to avoid buffering or downtime.
Personalised content journeys: OTT services should analyse viewing patterns to recommend what to watch next, provide notifications when anticipated shows release new episodes, and offer curated playlists to keep engagement high.
Pay
Flexible payment and subscription options: Users appreciate dynamic pricing models (e.g., pay-as-you-go, tiered subscriptions, or bundled offers) that adapt to their budget or viewing habits.
Proactive account management: Advanced analytics can identify when viewers might be overspending or under-utilising specific channels or features, then suggest cost-saving options or alternative plans to match actual usage.
Support
Real-time, context-aware assistance: When technical issues occur - such as app crashes or playback errors—consumers expect instantaneous, channel-appropriate help, be it live chat, in-app guidance, or voice support.
Our Collaborative Approach
In partnership with Channel 4, through a series of workshops, we ensured that product, commercial, and technical goals were seamlessly aligned within a set of detailed requirements. By leveraging proven reference materials, we were able to clearly establish the project scope, significantly reducing the time needed to document requirements. In parallel, an objective vendor market assessment was conducted, identifying suppliers best suited to Channel 4’s strategic objectives.
Establishing the Tender Strategy
Working closely with Channel 4’s internal teams, Spicy Mango led a series of workshops to define priorities and success criteria for the tender:
Joint Prioritisation: We guided Channel 4 through aligning product, commercial, and technical goals into a single cohesive vision.
Clear Scope Definition: By leveraging our proven reference materials, we were able to reduce the time needed to document requirements, significantly shortening the project timeline.
Marketplace assessment: Spicy Mango provided an objective vendor market assessment against Channel 4’s strategy to identify vendors to invite to tender.
Crafting Structured Technical Requirements
To facilitate consistent evaluation, we collaborated with Channel 4 to create a comprehensive yet concise RFP pack:
Consistent Vendor Assessment: A well-defined set of functional and technical requirements enabled vendors to submit responses in a standardised format.
Transparent Evaluation Criteria: Scoring matrices - covering everything from technology stack compatibility to commercial viability - ensured an equitable assessment.
Streamlined Documentation: Our prior tender experience and templates helped Channel 4 quickly pull together a best-in-class RFP pack, substantially reducing drafting and review cycles.
Supporting the Tender Process
Rather than simply handing over documentation, Spicy Mango actively steered Channel 4’s teams through the process:
Project Governance: Joint governance structures that kept the process on track, with frequent checkpoints for stakeholder feedback.
Comparative Analysis: Once proposals were received, we supported Channel 4 in interpreting and comparing the technical responses, using our structured tools to expedite decision-making.
Timeline Acceleration
By applying our established frameworks, Spicy Mango enabled Channel 4 to conclude the requirements and initial technical evaluation process faster than originally planned:
Faster Requirement Collation: Our ready-made materials and proven methodologies removed the need for excessive back-and-forth, allowing Channel 4 teams to focus on priority decisions.
Efficient Stakeholder Alignment: Clear documentation and transparent technical requirements scoring simplified cross-departmental discussions, reducing the risk of delays.
Key Outcomes
By focusing on a collaborative, well-structured approach, Spicy Mango and Channel 4 achieved several significant outcomes:
1. Comprehensive Technical Requirements Pack
Channel 4 was provided with a robust, easy-to-reference technical requirements framework that supported consistent vendor comparisons
2. Reduced Project Timeline
Delivering the technical requirements earlier than projected enabled Channel 4 to move swiftly into solution selection - staying ahead of market pressures.
3. Stakeholder Alignment
Collaborative steering ensured full buy-in across Product, Technology, and other teams, strengthening the foundation for successful vendor relationships.
4. Future-Ready OTT Platform
By dedicating attention to both product and technology, Channel 4 is now primed for it's future with a modern, scalable OTT service that can grow with evolving viewer demands.
Conclusion
Channel 4’s tender process demonstrates the impact of a collaborative, well-structured approach to product and technology procurement. With Spicy Mango’s support, Channel 4 condensed the technical requirements authoring and assessment timeline by months, saving both time and money while ensuring all stakeholders remained actively engaged. By combining Channel 4’s deep operational insights with Spicy Mango’s vendor market knowledge, proven frameworks, and reference materials; the organisation is now set to deploy a forward-looking OTT platform that meets viewers’ high expectations and stands strong in a competitive market.
About Spicy Mango
Spicy Mango is a specialist technology consultancy that partners with media, broadcasting, and OTT providers to accelerate product and platform transformations. With deep domain expertise and a track record of successful project delivery, we help our clients simplify complex challenges - whether it’s modernising legacy systems, optimising workflows, or integrating cutting-edge solutions. Guided by a collaborative ethos, Spicy Mango leverages proven frameworks and reference materials to streamline procurement, reduce costs, and drive measurable outcomes. We pride ourselves on delivering future-ready platforms that empower clients to innovate, scale, and delight audiences in an ever-evolving digital landscape.
Overview
Channel 4, one of the UK’s leading public service broadcasters, recognised the need to refresh its Over-The-Top (OTT) streaming platform to stay competitive in a fast-evolving market. Eager to streamline vendor selection across both product and technology, Channel 4 sought a structured and efficient approach to running a tender process. They chose Spicy Mango not only for our strategic expertise but also for our market knowledge and extensive reference materials - enabling the project to realise time and cost savings versus a blank canvas approach.
About Channel 4
Channel 4 is free-to-air and freely available to all of the UK. We have the UK’s biggest free streaming service, plus a network of six television channels.
Since Channel 4 was created in 1982, it has been at the centre of national conversations and a catalyst for the creation of a world-beating production sector in the UK.
Our purpose is to create change through entertainment. We do this by representing unheard voices, challenging with purpose and reinventing entertainment.
Our unique model – commercially-funded but publicly-owned – means that we’re able to offer independent and distinctive, universal content reflecting the interests of different communities across the UK.
As a publisher-broadcaster, Channel 4 commissions UK content from the independent production sector and currently works with around 300 creative companies across the UK every year.
The Challenges
In modernising its streaming capabilities, Channel 4 encountered a range of interlinked challenges that included an ageing technology estate, the need to harness market innovations, pressing time-to-market demands, and the careful balance between platform investment and ongoing operational costs. Surmounting these obstacles called for a strategic approach that would enable Channel 4 to optimise its in-house solutions while drawing on cutting-edge external expertise. Simultaneously, the organisation needed to respond swiftly to ever-changing viewer expectations, ensuring that expenditure remained justifiable and yielded tangible value.
Ageing Technology Estate
Channel 4’s in-house designed systems required significant investment to develop and maintain, limiting the broadcaster’s ability to deliver evolving business objectives and adapt quickly.
Use of Market Innovation
Channel 4 was looking to leverage streaming platform vendors’ expertise to operate and evolve the streaming platform. This would enable Channel 4 to focus efforts on maximising the commercial potential of their distinctive content. While cutting-edge OTT technology suppliers were readily available, Channel 4 needed a structured approach to discover and evaluate these external solutions effectively.
Time-to-Market Pressures
The organisation’s ability to roll out new features swiftly was compromised, hampering efforts to keep pace with changing viewer expectations and dynamic market conditions.
Balancing Platform Investment vs. Operating Costs
Channel 4 needed to carefully manage the overall cost of developing and running its product and technology platform, ensuring that investment delivered clear value without overstretching resources or inflating ongoing expenses.
What consumers expect of OTT platforms
Learn
Understand their content tastes: Consumers want personalised recommendations that reflect their unique interests and past viewing habits, so they can quickly discover new shows and films.
Proactive content guidance: OTT providers should introduce hyper personal experiences to help users easily navigate a vast content library, suggesting programmes or films that best match their mood, preferred genres, or trending topics.
Buy
Seamless subscription experience: Customers expect an effortless sign-up process, perhaps with one-click registration or the ability to subscribe through existing digital wallets or app-store accounts.
Relevant offers and bundles: Viewers appreciate special promotions or package deals based on their preferences or viewing history, driving higher perceived value from the OTT platform.
Get
Instant access and setup: Once a subscription is purchased, consumers want immediate access to content across all supported devices - without complicated logins or lengthy configurations.
Predictive onboarding: Intuitive tutorials or setup processes can suggest device optimisations, parental controls, or default language/audio settings tailored to the user’s profile, ensuring a smooth start.
Use
Adaptive streaming quality: If service issues arise - such as bandwidth constraints - consumers expect proactive notifications and automatic adjustments in streaming quality to avoid buffering or downtime.
Personalised content journeys: OTT services should analyse viewing patterns to recommend what to watch next, provide notifications when anticipated shows release new episodes, and offer curated playlists to keep engagement high.
Pay
Flexible payment and subscription options: Users appreciate dynamic pricing models (e.g., pay-as-you-go, tiered subscriptions, or bundled offers) that adapt to their budget or viewing habits.
Proactive account management: Advanced analytics can identify when viewers might be overspending or under-utilising specific channels or features, then suggest cost-saving options or alternative plans to match actual usage.
Support
Real-time, context-aware assistance: When technical issues occur - such as app crashes or playback errors—consumers expect instantaneous, channel-appropriate help, be it live chat, in-app guidance, or voice support.
Our Collaborative Approach
In partnership with Channel 4, through a series of workshops, we ensured that product, commercial, and technical goals were seamlessly aligned within a set of detailed requirements. By leveraging proven reference materials, we were able to clearly establish the project scope, significantly reducing the time needed to document requirements. In parallel, an objective vendor market assessment was conducted, identifying suppliers best suited to Channel 4’s strategic objectives.
Establishing the Tender Strategy
Working closely with Channel 4’s internal teams, Spicy Mango led a series of workshops to define priorities and success criteria for the tender:
Joint Prioritisation: We guided Channel 4 through aligning product, commercial, and technical goals into a single cohesive vision.
Clear Scope Definition: By leveraging our proven reference materials, we were able to reduce the time needed to document requirements, significantly shortening the project timeline.
Marketplace assessment: Spicy Mango provided an objective vendor market assessment against Channel 4’s strategy to identify vendors to invite to tender.
Crafting Structured Technical Requirements
To facilitate consistent evaluation, we collaborated with Channel 4 to create a comprehensive yet concise RFP pack:
Consistent Vendor Assessment: A well-defined set of functional and technical requirements enabled vendors to submit responses in a standardised format.
Transparent Evaluation Criteria: Scoring matrices - covering everything from technology stack compatibility to commercial viability - ensured an equitable assessment.
Streamlined Documentation: Our prior tender experience and templates helped Channel 4 quickly pull together a best-in-class RFP pack, substantially reducing drafting and review cycles.
Supporting the Tender Process
Rather than simply handing over documentation, Spicy Mango actively steered Channel 4’s teams through the process:
Project Governance: Joint governance structures that kept the process on track, with frequent checkpoints for stakeholder feedback.
Comparative Analysis: Once proposals were received, we supported Channel 4 in interpreting and comparing the technical responses, using our structured tools to expedite decision-making.
Timeline Acceleration
By applying our established frameworks, Spicy Mango enabled Channel 4 to conclude the requirements and initial technical evaluation process faster than originally planned:
Faster Requirement Collation: Our ready-made materials and proven methodologies removed the need for excessive back-and-forth, allowing Channel 4 teams to focus on priority decisions.
Efficient Stakeholder Alignment: Clear documentation and transparent technical requirements scoring simplified cross-departmental discussions, reducing the risk of delays.
Key Outcomes
By focusing on a collaborative, well-structured approach, Spicy Mango and Channel 4 achieved several significant outcomes:
1. Comprehensive Technical Requirements Pack
Channel 4 was provided with a robust, easy-to-reference technical requirements framework that supported consistent vendor comparisons
2. Reduced Project Timeline
Delivering the technical requirements earlier than projected enabled Channel 4 to move swiftly into solution selection - staying ahead of market pressures.
3. Stakeholder Alignment
Collaborative steering ensured full buy-in across Product, Technology, and other teams, strengthening the foundation for successful vendor relationships.
4. Future-Ready OTT Platform
By dedicating attention to both product and technology, Channel 4 is now primed for it's future with a modern, scalable OTT service that can grow with evolving viewer demands.
Conclusion
Channel 4’s tender process demonstrates the impact of a collaborative, well-structured approach to product and technology procurement. With Spicy Mango’s support, Channel 4 condensed the technical requirements authoring and assessment timeline by months, saving both time and money while ensuring all stakeholders remained actively engaged. By combining Channel 4’s deep operational insights with Spicy Mango’s vendor market knowledge, proven frameworks, and reference materials; the organisation is now set to deploy a forward-looking OTT platform that meets viewers’ high expectations and stands strong in a competitive market.
About Spicy Mango
Spicy Mango is a specialist technology consultancy that partners with media, broadcasting, and OTT providers to accelerate product and platform transformations. With deep domain expertise and a track record of successful project delivery, we help our clients simplify complex challenges - whether it’s modernising legacy systems, optimising workflows, or integrating cutting-edge solutions. Guided by a collaborative ethos, Spicy Mango leverages proven frameworks and reference materials to streamline procurement, reduce costs, and drive measurable outcomes. We pride ourselves on delivering future-ready platforms that empower clients to innovate, scale, and delight audiences in an ever-evolving digital landscape.
Overview
Channel 4, one of the UK’s leading public service broadcasters, recognised the need to refresh its Over-The-Top (OTT) streaming platform to stay competitive in a fast-evolving market. Eager to streamline vendor selection across both product and technology, Channel 4 sought a structured and efficient approach to running a tender process. They chose Spicy Mango not only for our strategic expertise but also for our market knowledge and extensive reference materials - enabling the project to realise time and cost savings versus a blank canvas approach.
About Channel 4
Channel 4 is free-to-air and freely available to all of the UK. We have the UK’s biggest free streaming service, plus a network of six television channels.
Since Channel 4 was created in 1982, it has been at the centre of national conversations and a catalyst for the creation of a world-beating production sector in the UK.
Our purpose is to create change through entertainment. We do this by representing unheard voices, challenging with purpose and reinventing entertainment.
Our unique model – commercially-funded but publicly-owned – means that we’re able to offer independent and distinctive, universal content reflecting the interests of different communities across the UK.
As a publisher-broadcaster, Channel 4 commissions UK content from the independent production sector and currently works with around 300 creative companies across the UK every year.
The Challenges
In modernising its streaming capabilities, Channel 4 encountered a range of interlinked challenges that included an ageing technology estate, the need to harness market innovations, pressing time-to-market demands, and the careful balance between platform investment and ongoing operational costs. Surmounting these obstacles called for a strategic approach that would enable Channel 4 to optimise its in-house solutions while drawing on cutting-edge external expertise. Simultaneously, the organisation needed to respond swiftly to ever-changing viewer expectations, ensuring that expenditure remained justifiable and yielded tangible value.
Ageing Technology Estate
Channel 4’s in-house designed systems required significant investment to develop and maintain, limiting the broadcaster’s ability to deliver evolving business objectives and adapt quickly.
Use of Market Innovation
Channel 4 was looking to leverage streaming platform vendors’ expertise to operate and evolve the streaming platform. This would enable Channel 4 to focus efforts on maximising the commercial potential of their distinctive content. While cutting-edge OTT technology suppliers were readily available, Channel 4 needed a structured approach to discover and evaluate these external solutions effectively.
Time-to-Market Pressures
The organisation’s ability to roll out new features swiftly was compromised, hampering efforts to keep pace with changing viewer expectations and dynamic market conditions.
Balancing Platform Investment vs. Operating Costs
Channel 4 needed to carefully manage the overall cost of developing and running its product and technology platform, ensuring that investment delivered clear value without overstretching resources or inflating ongoing expenses.
What consumers expect of OTT platforms
Learn
Understand their content tastes: Consumers want personalised recommendations that reflect their unique interests and past viewing habits, so they can quickly discover new shows and films.
Proactive content guidance: OTT providers should introduce hyper personal experiences to help users easily navigate a vast content library, suggesting programmes or films that best match their mood, preferred genres, or trending topics.
Buy
Seamless subscription experience: Customers expect an effortless sign-up process, perhaps with one-click registration or the ability to subscribe through existing digital wallets or app-store accounts.
Relevant offers and bundles: Viewers appreciate special promotions or package deals based on their preferences or viewing history, driving higher perceived value from the OTT platform.
Get
Instant access and setup: Once a subscription is purchased, consumers want immediate access to content across all supported devices - without complicated logins or lengthy configurations.
Predictive onboarding: Intuitive tutorials or setup processes can suggest device optimisations, parental controls, or default language/audio settings tailored to the user’s profile, ensuring a smooth start.
Use
Adaptive streaming quality: If service issues arise - such as bandwidth constraints - consumers expect proactive notifications and automatic adjustments in streaming quality to avoid buffering or downtime.
Personalised content journeys: OTT services should analyse viewing patterns to recommend what to watch next, provide notifications when anticipated shows release new episodes, and offer curated playlists to keep engagement high.
Pay
Flexible payment and subscription options: Users appreciate dynamic pricing models (e.g., pay-as-you-go, tiered subscriptions, or bundled offers) that adapt to their budget or viewing habits.
Proactive account management: Advanced analytics can identify when viewers might be overspending or under-utilising specific channels or features, then suggest cost-saving options or alternative plans to match actual usage.
Support
Real-time, context-aware assistance: When technical issues occur - such as app crashes or playback errors—consumers expect instantaneous, channel-appropriate help, be it live chat, in-app guidance, or voice support.
Our Collaborative Approach
In partnership with Channel 4, through a series of workshops, we ensured that product, commercial, and technical goals were seamlessly aligned within a set of detailed requirements. By leveraging proven reference materials, we were able to clearly establish the project scope, significantly reducing the time needed to document requirements. In parallel, an objective vendor market assessment was conducted, identifying suppliers best suited to Channel 4’s strategic objectives.
Establishing the Tender Strategy
Working closely with Channel 4’s internal teams, Spicy Mango led a series of workshops to define priorities and success criteria for the tender:
Joint Prioritisation: We guided Channel 4 through aligning product, commercial, and technical goals into a single cohesive vision.
Clear Scope Definition: By leveraging our proven reference materials, we were able to reduce the time needed to document requirements, significantly shortening the project timeline.
Marketplace assessment: Spicy Mango provided an objective vendor market assessment against Channel 4’s strategy to identify vendors to invite to tender.
Crafting Structured Technical Requirements
To facilitate consistent evaluation, we collaborated with Channel 4 to create a comprehensive yet concise RFP pack:
Consistent Vendor Assessment: A well-defined set of functional and technical requirements enabled vendors to submit responses in a standardised format.
Transparent Evaluation Criteria: Scoring matrices - covering everything from technology stack compatibility to commercial viability - ensured an equitable assessment.
Streamlined Documentation: Our prior tender experience and templates helped Channel 4 quickly pull together a best-in-class RFP pack, substantially reducing drafting and review cycles.
Supporting the Tender Process
Rather than simply handing over documentation, Spicy Mango actively steered Channel 4’s teams through the process:
Project Governance: Joint governance structures that kept the process on track, with frequent checkpoints for stakeholder feedback.
Comparative Analysis: Once proposals were received, we supported Channel 4 in interpreting and comparing the technical responses, using our structured tools to expedite decision-making.
Timeline Acceleration
By applying our established frameworks, Spicy Mango enabled Channel 4 to conclude the requirements and initial technical evaluation process faster than originally planned:
Faster Requirement Collation: Our ready-made materials and proven methodologies removed the need for excessive back-and-forth, allowing Channel 4 teams to focus on priority decisions.
Efficient Stakeholder Alignment: Clear documentation and transparent technical requirements scoring simplified cross-departmental discussions, reducing the risk of delays.
Key Outcomes
By focusing on a collaborative, well-structured approach, Spicy Mango and Channel 4 achieved several significant outcomes:
1. Comprehensive Technical Requirements Pack
Channel 4 was provided with a robust, easy-to-reference technical requirements framework that supported consistent vendor comparisons
2. Reduced Project Timeline
Delivering the technical requirements earlier than projected enabled Channel 4 to move swiftly into solution selection - staying ahead of market pressures.
3. Stakeholder Alignment
Collaborative steering ensured full buy-in across Product, Technology, and other teams, strengthening the foundation for successful vendor relationships.
4. Future-Ready OTT Platform
By dedicating attention to both product and technology, Channel 4 is now primed for it's future with a modern, scalable OTT service that can grow with evolving viewer demands.
Conclusion
Channel 4’s tender process demonstrates the impact of a collaborative, well-structured approach to product and technology procurement. With Spicy Mango’s support, Channel 4 condensed the technical requirements authoring and assessment timeline by months, saving both time and money while ensuring all stakeholders remained actively engaged. By combining Channel 4’s deep operational insights with Spicy Mango’s vendor market knowledge, proven frameworks, and reference materials; the organisation is now set to deploy a forward-looking OTT platform that meets viewers’ high expectations and stands strong in a competitive market.
About Spicy Mango
Spicy Mango is a specialist technology consultancy that partners with media, broadcasting, and OTT providers to accelerate product and platform transformations. With deep domain expertise and a track record of successful project delivery, we help our clients simplify complex challenges - whether it’s modernising legacy systems, optimising workflows, or integrating cutting-edge solutions. Guided by a collaborative ethos, Spicy Mango leverages proven frameworks and reference materials to streamline procurement, reduce costs, and drive measurable outcomes. We pride ourselves on delivering future-ready platforms that empower clients to innovate, scale, and delight audiences in an ever-evolving digital landscape.
Overview
Channel 4, one of the UK’s leading public service broadcasters, recognised the need to refresh its Over-The-Top (OTT) streaming platform to stay competitive in a fast-evolving market. Eager to streamline vendor selection across both product and technology, Channel 4 sought a structured and efficient approach to running a tender process. They chose Spicy Mango not only for our strategic expertise but also for our market knowledge and extensive reference materials - enabling the project to realise time and cost savings versus a blank canvas approach.
About Channel 4
Channel 4 is free-to-air and freely available to all of the UK. We have the UK’s biggest free streaming service, plus a network of six television channels.
Since Channel 4 was created in 1982, it has been at the centre of national conversations and a catalyst for the creation of a world-beating production sector in the UK.
Our purpose is to create change through entertainment. We do this by representing unheard voices, challenging with purpose and reinventing entertainment.
Our unique model – commercially-funded but publicly-owned – means that we’re able to offer independent and distinctive, universal content reflecting the interests of different communities across the UK.
As a publisher-broadcaster, Channel 4 commissions UK content from the independent production sector and currently works with around 300 creative companies across the UK every year.
The Challenges
In modernising its streaming capabilities, Channel 4 encountered a range of interlinked challenges that included an ageing technology estate, the need to harness market innovations, pressing time-to-market demands, and the careful balance between platform investment and ongoing operational costs. Surmounting these obstacles called for a strategic approach that would enable Channel 4 to optimise its in-house solutions while drawing on cutting-edge external expertise. Simultaneously, the organisation needed to respond swiftly to ever-changing viewer expectations, ensuring that expenditure remained justifiable and yielded tangible value.
Ageing Technology Estate
Channel 4’s in-house designed systems required significant investment to develop and maintain, limiting the broadcaster’s ability to deliver evolving business objectives and adapt quickly.
Use of Market Innovation
Channel 4 was looking to leverage streaming platform vendors’ expertise to operate and evolve the streaming platform. This would enable Channel 4 to focus efforts on maximising the commercial potential of their distinctive content. While cutting-edge OTT technology suppliers were readily available, Channel 4 needed a structured approach to discover and evaluate these external solutions effectively.
Time-to-Market Pressures
The organisation’s ability to roll out new features swiftly was compromised, hampering efforts to keep pace with changing viewer expectations and dynamic market conditions.
Balancing Platform Investment vs. Operating Costs
Channel 4 needed to carefully manage the overall cost of developing and running its product and technology platform, ensuring that investment delivered clear value without overstretching resources or inflating ongoing expenses.
What consumers expect of OTT platforms
Learn
Understand their content tastes: Consumers want personalised recommendations that reflect their unique interests and past viewing habits, so they can quickly discover new shows and films.
Proactive content guidance: OTT providers should introduce hyper personal experiences to help users easily navigate a vast content library, suggesting programmes or films that best match their mood, preferred genres, or trending topics.
Buy
Seamless subscription experience: Customers expect an effortless sign-up process, perhaps with one-click registration or the ability to subscribe through existing digital wallets or app-store accounts.
Relevant offers and bundles: Viewers appreciate special promotions or package deals based on their preferences or viewing history, driving higher perceived value from the OTT platform.
Get
Instant access and setup: Once a subscription is purchased, consumers want immediate access to content across all supported devices - without complicated logins or lengthy configurations.
Predictive onboarding: Intuitive tutorials or setup processes can suggest device optimisations, parental controls, or default language/audio settings tailored to the user’s profile, ensuring a smooth start.
Use
Adaptive streaming quality: If service issues arise - such as bandwidth constraints - consumers expect proactive notifications and automatic adjustments in streaming quality to avoid buffering or downtime.
Personalised content journeys: OTT services should analyse viewing patterns to recommend what to watch next, provide notifications when anticipated shows release new episodes, and offer curated playlists to keep engagement high.
Pay
Flexible payment and subscription options: Users appreciate dynamic pricing models (e.g., pay-as-you-go, tiered subscriptions, or bundled offers) that adapt to their budget or viewing habits.
Proactive account management: Advanced analytics can identify when viewers might be overspending or under-utilising specific channels or features, then suggest cost-saving options or alternative plans to match actual usage.
Support
Real-time, context-aware assistance: When technical issues occur - such as app crashes or playback errors—consumers expect instantaneous, channel-appropriate help, be it live chat, in-app guidance, or voice support.
Our Collaborative Approach
In partnership with Channel 4, through a series of workshops, we ensured that product, commercial, and technical goals were seamlessly aligned within a set of detailed requirements. By leveraging proven reference materials, we were able to clearly establish the project scope, significantly reducing the time needed to document requirements. In parallel, an objective vendor market assessment was conducted, identifying suppliers best suited to Channel 4’s strategic objectives.
Establishing the Tender Strategy
Working closely with Channel 4’s internal teams, Spicy Mango led a series of workshops to define priorities and success criteria for the tender:
Joint Prioritisation: We guided Channel 4 through aligning product, commercial, and technical goals into a single cohesive vision.
Clear Scope Definition: By leveraging our proven reference materials, we were able to reduce the time needed to document requirements, significantly shortening the project timeline.
Marketplace assessment: Spicy Mango provided an objective vendor market assessment against Channel 4’s strategy to identify vendors to invite to tender.
Crafting Structured Technical Requirements
To facilitate consistent evaluation, we collaborated with Channel 4 to create a comprehensive yet concise RFP pack:
Consistent Vendor Assessment: A well-defined set of functional and technical requirements enabled vendors to submit responses in a standardised format.
Transparent Evaluation Criteria: Scoring matrices - covering everything from technology stack compatibility to commercial viability - ensured an equitable assessment.
Streamlined Documentation: Our prior tender experience and templates helped Channel 4 quickly pull together a best-in-class RFP pack, substantially reducing drafting and review cycles.
Supporting the Tender Process
Rather than simply handing over documentation, Spicy Mango actively steered Channel 4’s teams through the process:
Project Governance: Joint governance structures that kept the process on track, with frequent checkpoints for stakeholder feedback.
Comparative Analysis: Once proposals were received, we supported Channel 4 in interpreting and comparing the technical responses, using our structured tools to expedite decision-making.
Timeline Acceleration
By applying our established frameworks, Spicy Mango enabled Channel 4 to conclude the requirements and initial technical evaluation process faster than originally planned:
Faster Requirement Collation: Our ready-made materials and proven methodologies removed the need for excessive back-and-forth, allowing Channel 4 teams to focus on priority decisions.
Efficient Stakeholder Alignment: Clear documentation and transparent technical requirements scoring simplified cross-departmental discussions, reducing the risk of delays.
Key Outcomes
By focusing on a collaborative, well-structured approach, Spicy Mango and Channel 4 achieved several significant outcomes:
1. Comprehensive Technical Requirements Pack
Channel 4 was provided with a robust, easy-to-reference technical requirements framework that supported consistent vendor comparisons
2. Reduced Project Timeline
Delivering the technical requirements earlier than projected enabled Channel 4 to move swiftly into solution selection - staying ahead of market pressures.
3. Stakeholder Alignment
Collaborative steering ensured full buy-in across Product, Technology, and other teams, strengthening the foundation for successful vendor relationships.
4. Future-Ready OTT Platform
By dedicating attention to both product and technology, Channel 4 is now primed for it's future with a modern, scalable OTT service that can grow with evolving viewer demands.
Conclusion
Channel 4’s tender process demonstrates the impact of a collaborative, well-structured approach to product and technology procurement. With Spicy Mango’s support, Channel 4 condensed the technical requirements authoring and assessment timeline by months, saving both time and money while ensuring all stakeholders remained actively engaged. By combining Channel 4’s deep operational insights with Spicy Mango’s vendor market knowledge, proven frameworks, and reference materials; the organisation is now set to deploy a forward-looking OTT platform that meets viewers’ high expectations and stands strong in a competitive market.
About Spicy Mango
Spicy Mango is a specialist technology consultancy that partners with media, broadcasting, and OTT providers to accelerate product and platform transformations. With deep domain expertise and a track record of successful project delivery, we help our clients simplify complex challenges - whether it’s modernising legacy systems, optimising workflows, or integrating cutting-edge solutions. Guided by a collaborative ethos, Spicy Mango leverages proven frameworks and reference materials to streamline procurement, reduce costs, and drive measurable outcomes. We pride ourselves on delivering future-ready platforms that empower clients to innovate, scale, and delight audiences in an ever-evolving digital landscape.
To find out more about anything you've read here, or to learn how Spicy Mango could help, drop us a note at hello@spicymango.co.uk , give us a call, or send us a message using our contact form and we'll be in touch.
To find out more about anything you've read here, or to learn how Spicy Mango could help, drop us a note at hello@spicymango.co.uk , give us a call, or send us a message using our contact form and we'll be in touch.
To find out more about anything you've read here, or to learn how Spicy Mango could help, drop us a note at hello@spicymango.co.uk , give us a call, or send us a message using our contact form and we'll be in touch.
To find out more about anything you've read here, or to learn how Spicy Mango could help, drop us a note at hello@spicymango.co.uk , give us a call, or send us a message using our contact form and we'll be in touch.

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Drop us an email at hello@spicymango.co.uk or call us on +44 (0)844 848 0441 or fill out the contact form below for a friendly chat.

Get in touch
Contact us - we don't bite
Drop us an email at hello@spicymango.co.uk or call us on +44 (0)844 848 0441 or fill out the contact form below for a friendly chat.

Get in touch
Contact us - we don't bite
Drop us an email at hello@spicymango.co.uk or call us on +44 (0)844 848 0441 or fill out the contact form below for a friendly chat.

Get in touch
Contact us - we don't bite
Drop us an email at hello@spicymango.co.uk or call us on +44 (0)844 848 0441 or fill out the contact form below for a friendly chat.