ITV Moves To Quash Kids Channel Speculation

Staff – MediaTel NewsLine ITV has quashed speculation surrounding the creation of a new kids TV channel, following reports yesterday that the broadcaster was working in collaboration with Nickelodeon to create a new offering dubbed INK, an acronym standing for ITV, Nickelodeon and Kids.

However, a spokeswoman for ITV claimed that no such plans had been made, and that the broadcaster was not planning the launch of a children’s TV channel.

“ITV is not planning to launch a new kids channel,” she said. “However, we are looking at options for strategic alliances in the children’s arena and that process continues.”

The broadcaster is understood, however, to be considering options for expansion into niche digital markets, with chief executive Charles Allen stating last year that the company would move to create a raft of new channels over the next five years in an effort to compete more effectively against the BBC (see ITV Reveals Plans To Launch Range Of New Channels).

ITV’s spokeswoman confirmed that talks had been held with potential broadcast partners, stating: “We have been in conversation with a number of potential partners for some while. These discussions are not focused on the creation of a channel, more that we are looking at options for collaborating with partners on programming, for example.”

The latest speculation follows similar rumours surrounding Five earlier this year, with the channel believed to be developing a digital spin-off channel to focus on its youth-focused Milkshake programming strand (see Five Eyes Expansion With Digital Children’s Channel). The broadcaster, whilst remaining tight-lipped over its plans, confirmed that a children’s channel was being prepared, but explained that it was just one of a number of plans currently in development.

The creation of an ITV-branded kids channel has long been mooted, with the broadcaster understood to have shelved plans for a dedicated digital channel for children last year. ITV Kids was due to be unveiled in early 2005 as part of a new channel package to boost ITV’s digital presence. However, the was cancelled in June 2004, with ITV opting instead to open its schedules to Nickelodeon or Disney in return for a CiTV branded slot on either of their channels (see ITV Scraps Plans To Launch Digital Channel For Kids).

ITV: 020 7843 8000 www.itv.com

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