Channel 4 Looks To Cut It In Breakfast Slot
Channel 4 is banking on reality television to draw in the viewers, following the demise of its breakfast TV offering RI:SE.
According to reports, Channel 4 is set to replace the beleaguered breakfast show, which got the axe earlier this month (see NewsLine), with repeats of the reality TV programme The Salon.
It is understood The Salon will be screened along with repeats of popular shows such as Friends and The Simpsons. This is seen as an interim solution for the broadcaster as it seeks an alternative breakfast format. The final episode of RI:SE will go out on 19 December.
Channel 4 has declined to comment on today’s speculation but media buyers have expressed doubts over the broadcaster’s ability to draw the 1 million viewers regularly pulled in during the heyday of The Big Breakfast.
The station is set to hit the headlines later this month with the screening of the controversial Teen Big Brother – The Experiment peak-time series. The five one-hour episodes are likely to cause a stir following revelations two of the teenagers involved had sex.
Critics of the broadcaster have claimed this latest offshoot of the Big Brother format reveals the channel’s increasing reliance on “cheap” reality television to gain viewers.
Meanwhile, it has been announced that Christina Willoughby will join Channel 4 later this year as head of international sales and co-production.
Willoughby set up Chrysalis Distribution ten years ago where she is currently managing director and has also worked at Granada.
Commenting on the appointment, Paul Sowerbutts, managing director of Channel 4 International, said: “I am obviously delighted that Christina will be joining C4i. We have a very strong team here already and her unique combination of sales and co-production experience together with her knowledge of the UK independent production community will make a big contribution.”
Channel Four: 020 7396 4444 www.channel4.com
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