In an attempt to increase young voter participation during the upcoming general election in the UK, Channel 4 plans to turn off its regularly scheduled programming on the E4 youth network. From 7 am to 7 pm on May 7th, in place of E4's regular programming, people tuning in to Channel 4's E4 will see Darren, the man who is in charge of making sure the TV station has content that will go on air.
The campaign comes in response to the fact that less than half of the population under the age of 25 cast their vote in the last election. As Channel 4’s CMO Dan Brooke puts it: "We've engaged the most powerful weapon that we have at our disposal to try and boost that number—switching off their favorite TV channel for the day."
In addition to hosting this blackout on TV, it would be interesting to see this concept pushed even further on other kinds of media to encourage young voters.
Election TV Channels
Channel 4 Aims to Increase Voter Participation by Switching Off Broadcasts
Trend Themes
1. Young Voter Engagement - Media companies can innovate by creating campaigns that encourage young people to vote and increase civic engagement.
2. Disruptive Broadcasting - Opportunities exist for media companies to use unconventional broadcasting methods in order to raise awareness and drive engagement for social and political causes.
3. Civic Responsibility Initiatives - Brands can create initiatives that aim to increase civic responsibility and drive social impact by engaging younger generations in political processes.
Industry Implications
1. Media & Broadcasting - Media and broadcasting companies can take the lead in promoting greater political engagement, especially among younger demographics.
2. Technology & Social Media - Tech companies and social media platforms like Instagram and Twitter can develop innovative ways to encourage voter registration and participation among the younger population.
3. Advertising & Marketing - Advertising and marketing agencies can develop social responsibility campaigns that incentivize young people to vote and get involved in politics.