‘Carbon Skid Mark’: The climate change campaign, in which politicians and business leaders smear each other, was Channel 4’s most complained about content of 2023

An ad for a climate change program showing politicians and business leaders exhibiting a “carbon slippage”, angering Conservative lawmakers, was Channel 4’s most complained about content of 2023.

Channel 4’s Change Climate Season promotional video, which published its list of complaints for the first time, which is independent of regulator Ofcom’s annual breakdown, came in well on top with 1,100 complaints, more than double the next in line. Watch the video below.

Titled What are those in power doing about it?The one-minute advert preceded a series of Channel 4 programs on climate change. This was rejected by MP Simon Jupp when Channel 4 chief executive Alex Mahon appeared before the Culture, Media and Sport Committee in November. Jupp said it was a “cheap debate” while dismissing the concept of a “carbon freeze” as a “disgrace”. Mahon responded by highlighting Channel 4’s desire to be “provocative”.

Next on Channel 4’s complaint list was Hoaxdoc, with around 500 complaints Gregg Wallace: The British Miracle Meat, which was supposed to demonstrate a new development in food technology that could produce proteins from donated human cells. Wallace presents the BBC In the factory and Channel 4’s farce should give food for thought about what actions people should take during the cost of living crisis.

Wonder meat Reality series followed on the list afraid of the dark and in particular an episode in which a live rabbit was used during a task. The next one was naked education, the body positivity series, which aimed to challenge stereotypes and correct misconceptions about the human body, including in areas such as penis size.

Channel 4’s historic Russell Brand documentary, in plain sight, Almost 200 complaints were received directly by the broadcaster, with Ofcom separately choosing not to investigate after people came forward saying the show was unfair to the former comedy star, who denies the allegations.

“Channel 4 exists to make headlines and get people thinking and discussing, so it’s a good sign that so many of our programs have generated a strong response in 2023,” said a network insider. “If someone isn’t complaining, Channel 4 probably isn’t doing its job.”

The list is compiled from complaints made directly to Channel 4, rather than Ofcom. Ofcom’s annual list included just one Channel 4 programme, naked education, and was concluded by Laurence Fox’s deeply misogynistic tirade against a female journalist at GB News.