Five Eyes Expansion With Digital Children’s Channel

Channel 5 has confirmed that it has plans to create a children’s channel, spun off from its current early morning Milkshake programming strand, but claimed that it was just one of a number of possible ventures under consideration for the future.

The channel is understood to be the brainchild of Nick Wilson, controller of children’s programming at Five, and is currently being considered for creation by the broadcaster’s chief executive, Jane Lighting, although no final decision has been made on whether it will become a reality.

Wilson is believed to be pushing for Milkshake’s creation as a standalone channel to safeguard Five’s position in a multi-channel environment. Speaking at a Voice of Listener & Viewer conference last year he stated that a spin-off children’s channel would be valuable in projecting the Five brand into the children’s section Sky Digital’s electronic programme guide.

Commenting on the plans a spokesman for Five said: “Nick was talking at a conference and has mentioned this, but obviously it’s one of a number of options that we are looking at, but there is certainly nothing imminent. It would be a bit premature to say it’s definitely on the cards, but it’s one of several options.”

Five has been at the centre of speculation in recent months surrounding deals to secure its future in a digital-only TV environment. November saw the broadcaster rumoured to be in merger talks with digital broadcaster, Flextech, part of cable company Telewest, following the earlier breakdown of exploratory merger discussions with Channel 4 (see Five Looks To Flextech Merger To Secure Future).

Five: 020 7550 5555 www.five.tv

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