Channel 4 must become more innovative and subversive, says new chief executive

Channel 4 must seize back its position as the country's most innovative and exciting programme-maker, the station's new chief executive will tell the Edinburgh Television Festival tonight.

Mark Thompson is expected to develop his ideas for the future of Channel 4, which he outlined to employees last month. Industry insiders believe he will describe the need to present viewers with edgier, more subversive content, while urging programme-makers to take more risks "to help return Channel 4 to its glory days as the country's most exciting and innovative channel".

With the company having this year recorded its first losses for a decade and facing criticism of a schedule headed by Big Brother, Mr Thompson will aim to regain the high ground with promises that quality and innovation are central to his plans.

Staff at Channel 4, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this autumn, have already been told to expect up to about 200 job losses as Mr Thompson seeks to make it a leaner, more effective operation.

But in the prestigious annual MacTaggart Lecture, Mr Thompson's first high-profile public speech since he joined Channel 4 from the BBC, the Government and other broadcasters will be looking for greater detail in his vision for the channel itself.

He has already spoken of the high quality, two-part drama Shackleton, starring Kenneth Branagh, as the type of project he would like to promote. But he has also admitted that in the rush to focus on commercial ventures such as FilmFour and E4, the core channel has been neglected.

Particular attention will be paid to Mr Thompson's thoughts on the BBC where he worked closely with Greg Dyke, the director-general.

With the BBC riding high on the back of programming successes and an above-inflation licence fee settlement, commercial rivals have been increasingly angry at what they see as an uneven playing field.

The temperature of the debate has been further raised this week by an outburst from David Liddiment, the outgoing director of channels at ITV. Mr Liddiment said Greg Dyke was not the right man to be leading the BBC. "He is providing a terrible disservice to range and quality and cultural values in Britain," he said.