Children take financial control in Family Budget Switch Up – the new branded entertainment series between Channel 4 and HSBC UK

Channel 4 today announces it has partnered with HSBC UK for new branded entertainment series Family Budget Switch Up. Broadcaster Mollie King alongside financial expert Peter Komolafe will present the new series for Channel 4 and join the families on their journey of financial awakenings.

In this three-part series, children take over the financial responsibility of running a household for the first time! Steered by their parents via bespoke challenges, the children will have to navigate scenarios from opening a bank account and paying monthly bills to dealing with an unpredictable crisis that has financial repercussions. How will they get on? Will the parents be surprised by the amount saved, or will they come back to see lots of new delivery boxes? On hand throughout are Mollie King and Peter Komolafe as they unpack the family’s spending habits and learn more about why the parents were keen to hand over control.

Family Budget Switch Up (3 x 15’) is produced by GOAT Films, with the partnership deal led by media agency, PHD and its branded content, partnerships and entertainment team, DRUM.

The branded entertainment series will premiere on Channel 4’s YouTube on 2nd March and will be available to stream on Channel 4 this April. Highlights will also be available on Channel 4’s TikTok, Instagram and Facebook, with a TVC shown across the streaming platform.

Presenter Mollie King comments: “As parents, we’re constantly making decisions about how to manage the household finances and plan for our families’ futures. But what if the kids were suddenly put in charge? How would they prioritise, what would they cut back on, and what would they splash out on? That’s what makes this show such a fascinating experiment. It flips family life on its head and sparks brilliant, honest conversations about money. I’m so excited to be hosting it for Channel 4 and to explore the importance of financial education alongside Peter’s expert advice. It’s eye-opening, surprising and at times very funny.”

Stephen Parnell, Digital Commissioning Executive at Channel 4 says: “It’s great to be working with GOAT Films on this eye-opening new series that will put a big question to the test: How much do your kids know about money? Hosts Mollie King and Peter Komolafe are a perfect duo in the series to meet with the families and bring a great range of clever financial insights to life.”

Becky Moffat, Head of Customer at HSBC UK says: “At HSBC UK, we’re passionate about empowering the next generation with the skills and confidence to navigate their financial futures. Partnering with Channel 4 on the Family Budget Switch Up allows us to bring financial education to life in an engaging and relatable way for families across the UK. This series builds on the work we already do to support children and young people through our financial education programmes, helping them develop the tools they need to make informed decisions and thrive in a rapidly changing world.”

Mel Crawford, Managing Director of GOAT Films, says: “Family Budget Switch Up takes a simple but powerful idea – what happens when kids take control of the household budget? – and turns it into an entertaining, conversation-starting format. It’s funny, revealing and genuinely useful, and we’re proud to have partnered with Channel 4 and HSBC to create a series that makes financial education feel accessible for the whole family.”

Emma Hopkins, Partner Lab Leader at Channel 4 says: “This series was born from a proactive call out to brands following a rise in ‘finfluencers,’ and The 2025 Young Money report by management consultancy MRM that revealed 45 per cent of respondents aged 18 to 30 got their financial information from social media.1 As a trusted broadcaster, we wanted to bring an engaging series to the nation that would help sort fact from fiction when it comes to finances. HSBC was brilliant to partner with, and we can’t wait for viewers to see Family Budget Switch Up.”

Credits

• Digital Commissioning Executive: Stephen Parnell, Channel 4
• Partnerships Manager: Yasmin Burfitt Channel 4
• Production & Project Lead: Jayme Baggio, Channel 4
• Creative Strategist: Dan MacDonnell, Channel 4
• Exec Producer: Andy Brown
• Media Agency: PHD
• Creative Agency: DRUM
• Client: HSBC

Footnote

1. Young Money Report 2025 - MRM