They're just a complete total and utter waste of a channel - even moreso than shopping channels! Is there ANYBODY in the country who would rather they were there rather than programmes? Even if it's just repeats. Ofcom should outlaw them.
The thing about shopping and quiz channels is that they are one of the few business models that actually make money in digital TV. Unless a channel is affiliated with one of the big broadcasters (BBC, ITV, C4, five, Sky, Flextech, Discovery etc) it really isn't worth starting a channel which doesn't have an income other than from advertising or subscription.
As for 'outlawing' them.... never heard of restraint of trade?.
Hopefully C4 will use the slot for interactive content (like Big Brother Live) in the short term at least. Another full time channel isn't neccessary - though if they put one of the +1 channels on I think they'd go for Film4+1 instead.
However, I think if the enquiry into quiz channels deems them to be perfectly legal and moral (stranger things have happened!) we'll just see C4 launching their own 4 branded quiz channel.
Fantastic News, I appreciate that these channels are here to decline advertising revenues from channels such as ITV and Channel 4, but Quiz Call is just awful and it is a waste of space on DTT and especially on a PSB MUX which Channel 4 operate on.
I'd have thought that Five US and Five Life would be the last of the new channels to appear on DTT for sometime, but hopefully Channel 4 might bring something good on, even if it is auctioning off to another broadcaster for even bringing back More4 +1.
I think though C4 (and all other channels actually) are quite limited in posibilities for new channels without devaluing their current line up.
E4 and More4 complement each other very well - and between them everything is more or less covered.
I can't see C4 launching a news or sport service (highly unlikely, but they could lease the space to ITN to relaunch the ITN News Channel).
The same goes for kids, while one area neither E4 or More4 really cover is classic programming - but as C4 don't make their own, they haven't got the archive material so they'd have to buy in all the content.
Following the success of E4 Music a music channel has been mentioned - and considering any limitations in content can be offset by hours of music videos it's probably the most viable.
Don't know when Quizcall might disappear, but my money is on Big Brother Live taking the slot in January, and then Film4+1 filling the space until BB Live airs in the summer, with any new channel launching late Summer / early Autumn 2007.
P.S. It's also possible of course that C4 will just lease back the space to Quizcall and the service will continue as usual - with C4 getting money for the slot without any of the risk! Which stupid company bought it then - ITV?
This is great news! Well-done channel 4!!! as long as Quiz call does not start to appear during the night on any C4 digital channel!!!
I hope ITV Play dies a painful death and drags down the ITV brand even more! That will teach the “know it all’s” at ITV PLC to rip us of with these naff channels!
That was under Charles Allen and his set of business acumen cronies - try to give the new breed the benefit of the doubt which I am trying to do after years of calling ITV. Hopefully, they will surprise us!!!!
Hm, what would Channel 4 use the new space for - The much rumoured 4 USA? In which case, wouldn't this make for an interesting battle between Five and Four... strange given the merger rumours not long ago!
Hm, what would Channel 4 use the new space for - The much rumoured 4 USA? In which case, wouldn't this make for an interesting battle between Five and Four... strange given the merger rumours not long ago!
Much rumoured? I've not heard of that one... The only one I've heard rumouring that one is you.
Hm, what would Channel 4 use the new space for - The much rumoured 4 USA? In which case, wouldn't this make for an interesting battle between Five and Four... strange given the merger rumours not long ago!
Much rumoured? I've not heard of that one... The only one I've heard rumouring that one is you.
There was a rumour floating around for a while on here IIRC, I think Broadcast also had a very small mention about it ages ago as well although I may be wrong
The same goes for kids, while one area neither E4 or More4 really cover is classic programming - but as C4 don't make their own, they haven't got the archive material so they'd have to buy in all the content.
E4 flirted with 'classic' programming after its launch. I remember that the original series of Star Trek was shown sometime in 2002 (and marketed aswell). I guess it didn't work out for them.
Wish E4 would go back to doing 'themed nights'. I remember they used to have Saturday nights showing a series back to back. I think they did Father Ted, Brass Eye (with the unfortunate but obvious omission of the paedophile one) and a few others.
Wish E4 would go back to doing 'themed nights'. I remember they used to have Saturday nights showing a series back to back. I think they did Father Ted, Brass Eye (with the unfortunate but obvious omission of the paedophile one) and a few others.
I think they also removed the subliminal 'Michael Grade is a c**t' message from that run as well.
