The Best TV Shows on Channel 4

Every Channel 4 Show Ranked From Best To Worst

From 1982 through to 2017, Channel 4 has accumulated a diverse collection of over 20 television shows. Highlighting Channel 4’s quality programming, Brookside and Treasure Hunt stand out, premiering in 1982 and 1982. Our curated list, current as of August 2026, showcases over 20 of Channel 4’s highest-rated series.

  • Black Mirror
    Black Mirror (2011)8.3

    Twisted tales run wild in this mind-bending anthology series that reveals humanity's worst traits, greatest innovations and more.

  • Taskmaster
    Taskmaster (2015)8.3

    Greg Davies is the Taskmaster, and with the help of his ever-loyal assistant Alex Horne, they will set out to test the wiles, wit, wisdom and skills of five hyper-competitive comedians. Who will be crowned the Taskmaster champion?

  • The IT Crowd
    The IT Crowd (2006)8.2

    The comedic misadventures of Roy, Moss, and their grifting supervisor Jen, a 'motley crew' of IT support workers at a large corporation headed by a hotheaded yuppie.

  • The End of the F***ing World
    The End of the F***ing World (2017)8.0

    James is 17 and is pretty sure he is a psychopath. Alyssa, also 17, is the cool and moody new girl at school. The pair make a connection and she persuades him to embark on a darkly comedic road trip in search of her real father.

  • Big Fat Quiz
    Big Fat Quiz (2004)7.7

    Presenter Jimmy Carr oversees a panel of top-name celebrities in this year end quiz show where they compete to see who can answer the most questions correctly.

  • Shameless
    Shameless (2004)7.6

    The story of a young group of siblings pretty much abandoned by their parents, surviving by their wits - and humor - on a rough Manchester council estate. Whilst they won't admit it, they need help and find it in Steve, a young middle class lad who falls for Fiona, the oldest sibling, and increasingly finds himself drawn to this unconventional and unique family. Anarchic family life seen through the eyes of an exceptionally bright fifteen year old, who struggles to come of age in the context of his belligerent father, closeted brother, psychotic sister and internet porn star neighbors.

  • Treasure Hunt
    Treasure Hunt (1982)7.5

    Helicopter skyrunner Anneka Rice races against the clock to find directions to treasure at locations worked out by studio guests from cryptic clues.

  • Fifteen to One
    Fifteen to One (1988)7.5

    Fifteen contestants compete in this quiz show with three lives until one winner is left.

  • 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown
    8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown (2013)7.4

    Jimmy Carr hosts proceedings as the 8 Out of 10 Cats crew take over the words and numbers quiz.

  • 8 Out of 10 Cats
    8 Out of 10 Cats (2005)7.2

    A weekly, topical panel show based around a huge series of opinion poll surveys carried out around Britain.

  • First Dates
    First Dates (2013)6.6

    Interactive dating experiment in which real dates are filmed, and then viewers get the chance to apply to date the unsuccessful participants the following week.

  • Dispatches
    Dispatches (1987)6.5

    An in-depth look at news stories. Documentaries that take you behind the scenes giving an insight into people's lives or institutions.

  • Brookside
    Brookside (1982)6.2

    The ground-breaking soap set in a housing estate on the outskirts of Liverpool.

  • Four in a Bed
    Four in a Bed (2010)6.2

    Four pairs of B&B owners from across Britain take it in turns as hosts to decide which of their establishments provides the best value for money.

  • Big Brother's Little Brother
    Big Brother's Little Brother (2001)6.0

    Each week, the housemate evicted from the Big Brother house the previous week traditionally spends another week on Big Brother's Little Brother, answering questions and taking part in Call BBLB along with other features. The show also boasts celebrity guests and experts who come in to discuss and analyse the remaining Big Brother housemates.

  • Naked Attraction
    Naked Attraction (2016)6.0

    The show looks at whether a partner can be found based solely on the naked body and animal magnetism. Two singletons join host Anna Richardson as they seek to choose a date from a selection of six naked people, who will be revealed to them one body part at a time. They then get dressed and head off on a date, to see if there is any chemistry when the clothes come on.

  • The Last Leg
    The Last Leg (2013)5.7

    Adam Hills and co-hosts Josh Widdicombe and Alex Brooker provide some offbeat commentary on the significant moments of the past seven days.

  • Come Dine with Me
    Come Dine with Me (2005)5.3

    Amateur chefs compete against each other by hosting a dinner party for the other contestants. Each competitor then rates the host's performance with the winner winning a £1,000 cash prize. An element of comedy is added to the show through comedian Dave Lamb, who provides a dry and "bitingly sarcastic" narration.

  • Hollyoaks
    Hollyoaks (1995)5.2

    The daily soap that follows the loves, lives and misdemeanours of a group of people living in the Chester village of Hollyoaks where anything could, and frequently does, happen...

  • Big Brother
    Big Brother (2000)4.4

    A British reality television game show in which a number of contestants live in an isolated house for several weeks, trying to avoid being evicted by the public with the aim of winning a large cash prize at the end of the run.