Channel 5 is teaming up with an ennead of BAME prodcos in a bid to improve representation across programme-makers for the channel. The Viacom-owned broadcaster has linked with nine small to medium-sized BAME prodcos, who will partner with commissioners to develop mainstream ideas and deliver commissions. The independent production companies originate from Northern Ireland, Yorkshire, […]
Channel 5 director of programmes Ben Frow has called the cancellation of Big Brother a “liberation”, but has noted that the savings did not go “as far as he liked”. Speaking at the Edinburgh TV Festival, Frow reiterated his views on the long-running Initial-produced reality programme, noting that it was “time to lose the show”, […]
Viacom-owned UK broadcaster Channel 5 has unveiled a raft of original dramas in the latest phase of a scripted strategy initiated last year by director of programmes Ben Frow. Psychological thriller Penance (3 x 60 minutes), from All3Media-backed West Road Pictures, has been written and created by Kate O’Riordan (Mr Selfridge), and inspired by her […]
Channel 5 has launched a new initiative to encourage more BAME-owned and managed indie production companies to work with the broadcaster. C5 is looking for nine small or medium sized BAME companies, primarily in the regions, which are owned and managed by BAME off-screen talent. They will be matched with C5’s nine-strong commissioning team. C5 […]
Channel 5 has cancelled Big Brother after eight years on the Viacom-owned broadcaster. The channel has confirmed that series 19, which launched on C5 on Friday (14 September), will be the final run for the Initial-produced programme. A finale is slated for 5 November. Spin-off Celebrity Big Brother has also been axed. C5 and producer […]
The US’s newest general entertainment station, the Paramount Network, launches in January 2018. Jesse Whittock hears how channel president Kevin Kay plans to change cable with premium originals and unscripted hits for a broad audience. There’s no better way to better encapsulate Viacom’s strategy change under Bob Bakish than to look at the creation and […]
UK broadcaster Channel 5 has commissioned a batch of shows in the factual space, and renewed comedy Borderline. Channel 5 director of programmes Ben Frow (pictured) revealed the shows – 4x60mins efforts A Year in the Wild of Alaska and The Dales and Moors: A Year in the Wild and a docu-drama about Queen Elizabeth […]
UK free-to-air broadcaster Channel 5 has acquired the reboot of US sci-fi drama The X-Files. Various British broadcasters were understood to have been interested in the show, which debuts early next year on US broadcaster Fox, meaning Channel 5 has won out in a bidding war. The show will reunite Gillian Anderson and David Duchovny […]
UK commercial broadcaster Channel 5 has ordered a local version of Lip Sync Battle, the celebrity entertainment show that is on Spike in the US. Spike and Channel 5 are both owned by Viacom and the US version of Lip Sync plays on the recently-launched Spike channel in the UK. A full UK version of […]
Viacom has recruited Sean Doyle as a factual commissioner for its Channel 5 operation, poaching him from the BBC. Doyle was head of development for daytime and features at the BBC, commissioning series including Blitz Cities and Michael Portillo’s State Secrets. At Channel 5 he will report to director of programming Ben Frow. Channel 5 […]
