Five’s director of programmes Dan Chambers has poured cold water on the prospect of the broadcaster launching a digital channel in the near future, claiming it would be “phenomenally” expensive to get off the ground.
The UK’s smallest commercial channel is currently looking at ways to strengthen its position in the burgeoning digital market and is contemplating getting into bed with big-hitting rivals such as Channel 4, BSkyB or Flextech.
However, Chambers dismissed the prospect of the channel launching a digital spin-off along the lines of E4 or ITV2, saying: “The cost of getting a venture like that off the ground would be huge and the money would probably have to come directly out of the programming budget.”
The programming chief, who has helped Five to see record ratings, said the success of the main terrestrial channel was his main focus. However, he insisted he would be keen to launch a digital offering if shareholders, RTL and United Business Media, boosted his budget by £50 million.
Chambers plans to deal with the threat posed to Five by the growing number of digital channels and the rise of personal video recorders by making live events a key part of the channel’s schedule over the coming months. He said: “Live events will become increasingly important as the multi-channel audience grows and PVRs begin to take-off.”
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