|

ITC Agrees To Reduction In Original Material On Channel 5

ITC Agrees To Reduction In Original Material On Channel 5

The Independent Television Commission has agreed that Channel 5 can reduced the proportion of original programming and commissions it broadcasts in order to increase its focus on other areas.

The changes will see a cut in the number of original productions in entertainment, sport, current affairs and drama. The minimum requirement for C5’s original productions/commissions has been reduced from 52.7% to 51.3% for 1999-2000. Channel 5 asked for the changes in its licence agreement so that it can increase its appeal to viewers by concentrating on areas which the broadcaster has found to be most appealing – namely documentary and feature material, news, films and children’s programmes.

Channel 5 has assured the Commission that half the money saved from the reduction in original drama provision, from 18 hours to 12 hours a year, will be funneled back in to the remaining original drama programmes. The other half of the saved money will be spent on further original productions/commissions.

Channel 5’s Family Affairs soap, the future of which has been questioned on a number of occasions, is classed as a drama serial and so is not affected by the changes in drama provision.

This is the fifth time that the ITC has approved changes to Channel 5’s licence since the station launched in 1997.

Independent Television Commission: 0171 255 3000 Channel 5: 0171 550 5555

Media Jobs