BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5 join forces for a two-minute short celebrating the power of British TV

A new and unique collaboration unites the UK’s primary channels – the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5 – in a historic TV first. Coming together for the first time to share a special film for all its viewers (across 21 channels in total) this rare television moment sees broadcasting’s major players share a two-minute film. The short highlights the power of television and digital services in bringing people together, especially during a period of unprecedented uncertainty.

Brought to our screens with the help of Uncommon Creative Studio and directed by Sam Walker through Pulse Films, the short titled Our stories debuted yesterday (Wednesday 8 July 2020) at 8:58pm across 21 channels. Continuing to air across those channels for the next month, Nils Leonard, co-founder of Uncommon Creative Studio said in a statement on the significance of the film: “British TV reflects and shapes our culture and who we are. Our debates, our conversations, our communities and our characters are all reflected in the stories we watch every day. These are our stories. British TV matters – now more than ever. This cultural moment is the kind of brief we built the studio to make.”

The film opens with a road trip across the UK, showcasing the vastness of the UK’s landscape coupled with the expanse of the country’s best-loved TV shows and TV moments playing in the background. The film pans through Cornish coastlines, London estates, the Angel of the North and the Royal Academy gallery, just to name a few, taking on a cinematic look and feel which aims to “create scale and tell the collective united story for our public serve broadcasters during these uncertain times.”

Told through the lens of British TV, the short draws attention to the stories that have touched the nation. From Eastenders, The Great British Bake Off, Strictly Come Dancing, Derry Girls, I May Destroy You, Fleabag, and many more. Our stories aims to touch on the myriad stories and perspectives that can help us “see the world differently”. As the narration points out: “This is the story of everything we’ve done. And everything we could be. This is us. This is who we are. Our stories are your stories.”