Channel 4 Announces Details Of New Winter Schedule
Channel 4 has unveiled its new winter schedule which places a heavy emphasis on entertainment and factual programmes with a number of new commissions.
The channel has also confirmed that from 5 November its long running teen soap, Hollyoaks, will be shown five nights a week to replace Brookside, which will have its last peak time broadcast next Tuesday (see Brookside’s Departure Leaves Hole At Channel 4).
The winter schedule will be dominated by three new flagship drama series: Shameless, which explores life on a Manchester housing estate, a hospital drama called No Angels and Omagh written by the makers of Bloody Sunday.
Commenting on the launch of the new schedule, Mark Thompson, chief executive of Channel 4, said: “Brookside has been one of the channel’s greatest programmes, but its demise offers us a chance for a fresh start in drama.”
He added: “Channel 4 has had brilliant one-offs and mini-series over the years, but our reputation for innovation in drama has never consistently matched that in entertainment and factual. We’re confident that Shameless and No Angels represent the start of a purple patch for Channel 4 drama.”
Channel 4 has also announced plans to screen big budget US import Angels In America, which features Al Pacino and Meryl Streep addressing the delicate issue of the AIDS epidemic that swept through American in the 1980s.
The winter schedule will see the final two series of Channel 4’s most popular US imports, Friends and Sex And The City. Some media commentators have suggested the end of these popular and lucrative shows may leave a hole in the station’s output.
Earlier this week Channel 4 promoted Anmar Kawash to the role of managing director of its commercial arm, 4 Ventures. She replaces Rob Woodward, who moved on to become Channel 4’s commercial director last year (see Channel 4 Appoints New Managing Director Of 4 Ventures).
Channel Four: 020 7396 4444 www.channel4.com
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