Channel 5 Turns Out Better Than Expected

A new ITC report called Television: The Public’s View 1997, shows that the nation’s television viewing habits are slow to change as many viewing statistics remain very similar to the 1996 survey.

87% continue to watch television at some point every day in an average week, and the average amount watched remains 26 hours a week. Cable and satellite customers, on average, watch more TV than terrestrial-only viewers.

Whilst ITV remains the overall favourite channel (the one that viewers would keep above all others), Channel 5 has pleasantly surprised the majority of viewers. 48% felt that the new channel was better than they expected and 62% liked most or some of what they had seen. Channel 5’s selection of films is its most popular feature.

A third of Channel 5 viewers believed that it was modern and entertaining; however just under 20% of viewers thought the channel was either ‘cheap’ or of poor quality.

The survey also reports that subscriptions to either a sports or film channel have fallen amongst cable subscribers, although these channels are still cited as the main reason for buying cable initially. Over a quarter of cable subscribers said that a cheaper phone bill was the most influential factor in subscribing. Men, rather than women, tend to make the decision to subscribe.

There is also a resentment amongst all viewers, including cable and satellite subscribers, at having to subscribe to special channels to see certain sporting events.

Independent Television Commission: 0171 306 7743