OnTrack is for staff that have worked on the broadcasting of international games

Channel 4 has launched an initiative for senior off-screen TV talent who have worked on the Paralympic Games.

OnTrack is a Paralympic alumni network that will ensure access to bursaries, masterclasses and events for senior deaf, disabled and neurodivergent off-screen talent.

Those who have a Paralympic Games credit from 2012 onwards, and those who have been part of 4Skills’ Paralympic Production Training Scheme (PTS), are invited to join the network, where they will have access to regular, practical support for career progression and professional development.

The initiative’s launch follows C4’s broadcast of the recent Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympic Games, where at least 25% of the producer Whisper’s off-screen talent identified as disabled.

OnTrack is designed to strengthen C4’s support for Paralympic production staff and its ongoing commitment to support disabled talent at all stages of their careers.

It is the latest C4 initiative for off-screen DDN talent, joining Rise, its mentoring scheme for mid-senior disabled talent, and online networking scheme 4Connect, which pairs off-screen talent with productions.

Ian Katz, chief content officer at C4, said the initiative marks another important moment in the broadcaster’s “unwavering” commitment to long-term, sustainable change for disabled off-screen talent.

“Our expanded range of tailored initiatives including the new OnTrack network for Paralympic alumni, plus our vital partnership with TAP supports disabled talent, indies and producers to ensure disability inclusion is embedded at every level of the industry,” he continued.

“Although there is still more to do to reach TAP’s goal of full inclusion by 2030, the work Channel 4 has done so far is evident in Diamond data, showing a rise in disabled creatives working on our productions. This is real progress and announcing these new and ongoing initiatives today demonstrates Channel 4’s ongoing commitment.”

The latest Diamond report stated that disabled off-screen talent on C4 programmes was 9.7% in 2023/24, which was in line with the industry average.