Five Signs MacIntyre As Face Of Current Affairs

Channel Five has signed up BBC journalist Donal MacIntyre as the new face of its current affairs programming.

MacIntyre, who is best known for his controversial BBC1 series, MacIntyre Uncovered, is to front at least 12 hours of programming on Channel Five in 2003, including investigative journalism, social affairs and other current affairs topics.

Director of programmes at Channel Five, Kevin Lygo, commented: “This is a great coup for the channel and undermines our commitment to attracting the best talent in the industry to Five.”

It is understood that MacIntyre will also continue to appear on the BBC after signing a new £500,000 freelance contract and a new series of MacIntyre Investigates is yet to be broadcast. He also recently fronted BBC1’s Extreme Weather series.

Channel Five has attempted to distance itself from its down-market image and is shifting its emphasis to current affairs and factual programming in an attempt to attract a wider range of viewers.

Chris Shaw, senior programme controller of news and current affairs, commented: “Donald MacIntyre is a passionate journalist with conviction. This is part of our move into advocacy journalism and he is the perfect person to take this style of reporting forward on Five.”

Channel 5 recently secured GlaxoSmithKlien as the sponsor of its weather bulletins, in a deal rumoured to be worth around £1.5 million (see GlaxoSmithKline To Sponsor Channel Five Weather).

Channel Five: 020 7550 5555 www.channel5.com

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