Five Denies Women’s Channel Launch

Five has moved to quash press speculation over its first foray into multi-channel broadcasting this afternoon, denying reports that it is to launch a dedicated woman’s channel to build on the success of shows such as Trisha Goddard and House Doctor.

Slating the speculation, a spokesman for the broadcaster explained that while Five would be launching a second channel later this year, there were no imminent launches to confirm.

“I’m glad [the press] are deciding our channel strategy for us, it saves us the trouble!” The Five spokesman told NewsLine. “We’re looking at loads of options and will be making announcements later in the year, but its too early in the year and it would be ludicrous to say what those might be right now.”

Speculation over Five’s multi-channel plans last year claimed that the broadcaster was preparing a children’s channel to build on its early morning Milkshake strand, with the venture reportedly the brainchild of Nick Wilson, Five’s controller of children’s programming.

However, such a brand extension has yet to materialise, and would now face increased competition from the recently launched CiTV channel (see One Month Delay For ITV Kids Channel), as well as Nickelodeon’s kids programming block, Noggin, running on TMF via satellite and Freeview (see Nickelodeon To Air Kids Programming Via Freeview).

Five: 020 7550 5555 www.five.tv