Emap Steps up TV Presence With Channel 5

Emap is moving into terrestrial television by launching an interactive Smash Hits Chart Show, which will be screened on Channel 5 in the new year.

The programme will feature a top twenty chart run-down and an interactive element will be provided by viewers voting for their favourite songs. The chart will be based on airplay, votes to the show and requests made to Emap’s satellite music channels; The Box and Smash Hits TV.

Sham Sandhu, controller of youth, music and interactive programming at Channel 5, commented: “I am delighted to be going into partnership with Emap Performance. The Smash Hits brand has such a high profile within the music industry and is a perfect fit for Five. It is an exciting opportunity for our viewers to influence the chart for the first time. This will ensure that Five becomes the home of pop music in 2003″

It is understood the thirty minute show will be broadcast on Saturday afternoons and repeated on Sunday mornings.

The move reflects Emap’s continuing commitment to extending its brands across a variety of media platforms. Smash Hits TV is already available on digital television and FHM has also entered the TV market, negotiating a deal with Sky to broadcast its High Street Honeys competition.

Emap has pledged to extend its share of the digital music market by rolling out its new channel, The Hits, following the signing of new carriage deals with Sky, NTL and Telewest (see Emap Extends New Music Channel).

Emap: 01733 568 900 www.emap.co.uk

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