This is our unique resource that helps us keep our finger on the pulse of the nation. It's a panel of over a thousand people that are representative of all 16-54 year olds. We conduct surveys with them every two weeks about a range of things, from their views on current programmes to their shopping habits and lifestyle. Propeller is primarily used by our sales and sponsorship teams to help understand more about consumers and brands and how we can use the Channel 4 portfolio effectively to connect one with the other.

It's important to remember that Propeller is not a panel of Channel 4 viewers. The panel is carefully maintained to represent all 16-54 year olds nationwide and so results can be projected on to this audience – which numbers around 31 million in the UK.

Panelists are contacted by email every two weeks and directed to the bespoke website where they complete the survey. Being an online study it means we can also show material such as ads, images, etc as stimulus. We also maintain an open forum for panelists to discuss issues relating to TV or any other topic that we ask for their views on.

If there is a burning issue that you want to explore then Propeller can give you instant clarity.

A selection of results from Propeller from the last few weeks

• 7% of people have downloaded a podcast
• 85% would prefer a free movie channel with advertising rather than a subscription movie channel
• 35% of 16-34s claim that they are exercising more than they were a year ago
• 57% of 16-34s claim that they are more concerned about their diet than a year ago
• 89% of people say that they get their weather information from the TV – more than any other medium
• 36% of internet shoppers have bought clothes or shoes online
• 49% of people are worried about the growth in far right political parties such as the BNP
• 16-34s are more likely to put the environment ahead of education as their priority issue