Jacko Helps Five Face The Future

Channel Five secured a record audience last night with 3.6 million viewers tuning into its documentary on Michael Jackson’s Face.

According to unofficial overnight figures from BARB, the channel achieved a 15% share of viewing between 9pm and 10pm, the largest ever recorded at Channel Five, aside from films and football matches.

The documentary, which was heavily publicised by a poster campaign, is the first of a number of Sunday night factual specials which are part of the channel’s new autumn line up, which also includes laddish-entertainment show Live With Chris Moyles (see New Chris Moyles Show Pulls In The Punters For Five).

The documentary’s success will provide a boost to Five after the departure of chief executive, Dawn Airey, to BSkyB (see Airey To Leave Channel Five Sooner Than Expected). The channel will be keen to signal its continued growth and strength to advertisers, especially in the light of reports that blue-chip advertisers may reducing their ad-spend at ITV (see Michael Jackson Tipped For ITV’s Top Job).

Five’s director of programmes, Kevin Lygo, said: “The autumn line-up reflects the channel’s new attitude and ambition. Though diverse in genre and content, all the programmes share a common purpose which mirrors our new approach, confidence and aspirations.”

Channel Five recently underwent an extensive re-branding campaign, which included changing its logo from the number 5 to the word five (see Channel 5 Relaunched As Five).

Channel Five: 020 7550 5555 www.channel5.com

Recent Television Stories from NewsLine Michael Jackson Tipped For ITV’s Top Job New Chris Moyles Show Pulls In The Punters For Five Granada Secures Sponsorship For ITV News Channel

Subscribers can access ten years of NewsLine articles by clicking the Search button to the left