The Best TV Shows on Channel 4

Every Channel 4 Show Ranked From Best To Worst

As of August 2026, our compilation of Channel 4’s top-rated series boasts over 20 unique shows. Some of the best tv shows from Channel 4 include Brookside and Fifteen to One, airing in 1982 and 1988 respectively. Showcasing over 20 shows from 1982 up until 2019, Channel 4 stands as a beacon of television excellence.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Fifteen to One
    Fifteen to One (1988)7.5

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

  • Shameless
    Shameless (2004)7.5

    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.

  • Coach Trip
    Coach Trip (2005)7.5

    The show's format consists of four to seven teams of two undertaking a coach tour principally of continental Europe. The tours have usually lasted 30 or 50 days, with passengers remaining on the tour only until they are ejected by their companions on one day, to be replaced by a new couple the following day. The travellers are accompanied by tour guide Brendan Sheerin, who appears in every episode.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • The Accident
    The Accident (2019)6.2

    Tragedy strikes the welsh town of Glyngolau when an accident on a construction site kills a group of trespassing children. Grief quickly turns to anger and the families cry for justice. But as the gears of justice slowly turn, challenging truths begin to emerge. It falls to the Council Leader’s wife, Polly, to hold the community together, all the while also caring for a daughter – the only survivor of the collapse. And as those in charge fail to deliver closure for the town, it’s up to her to lead them on the march for justice, no matter what the cost.

  • 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.

  • Deal or No Deal
    Deal or No Deal (2005)6.0

    Noel Edmonds presents the hit game show in which any one of 22 players could win up to £250,000. There are 22 sealed boxes, but only one question: deal - or no deal?

  • 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...

  • Celebrity Big Brother
    Celebrity Big Brother (2001)5.0

    Celebrity Big Brother is a British reality television game show in which a number of celebrity contestants live in an isolated house trying to avoid being evicted by the public with the aim of winning a large cash prize being donated to the winner's nominated charity at the end of the run.

  • 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.

  • Richard & Judy
    Richard & Judy (2001)3.4

    Richard & Judy was a British chat show presented by the married couple Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan. The show originally aired on Channel 4, from 2001 to 2008, but later moved to digital channel, Watch, in October 2008. The programme featured a number of celebrities and a book club. Its final episode aired in July 2009 due to low ratings.