Channel 5 Announcement – Initial Reaction

Virgin Television, whose bid for Channel 5 was rejected on programming grounds, has said that they believe they would have attracted the greatest audience to Channel 5. “The ITC did not share our views on what mix of programming was commercially viable. It appears they have decided on a fifth channel very similar to the existing four. We strongly disagree with their subjective judgments about matters of commercial viability. For example, the ITC noted that one reason for our failure to win today was the limited range of programme suppliers. However we had 41 contracted suppliers, nearly double those of the winner.”

Virgin believed its novel approach to news, which was short on the hour bulletins would have enhanced viewer choice, and also said that sport was not a requirement for the licence, and “is over catered for by existing channels.” They have said they will be taking further advice on their options now.

ITV has today said that it “does not fear competition – we welcome it, and are confident that with our strong and varied schedule we will comfortably remain the British public’s channel of first choice.”