Channing was the first Auton created during the Nestene Consciousness's first attempted invasion of Earth in the 20th century. Possibly a Swarm Leader, Channing's body was created by George Hibbert after being hypnotised by an energy unit; he was animated by a large portion of the Conciousness, allowing him to have something akin to feelings and seemingly his own thoughts. (PROSE: Doctor Who and the Auton Invasion)
Controlling Hubert, he took over an Auto Plastics factory and set it to build Autons into the products while getting rid of all the other employees. Channing was deactivated when the Third Doctor and Liz Shaw destroyed the Nestene Consciousness. (TV: Spearhead from Space)