The Channel 5 Thread

Just saw an awkward interview on Sky News

Question 1: Why did you want channel 5
Answer 1: We we just had to sit through a discussion about Cheggers Twitter page [on Sky News], it's about time viewers in the UK had a decent channel


Didn't get much better

Some info from the interview... wants shows like Coronation Street, Big Brother, X Factor and Panorama, he like Panorama apparently.

How long is the Sky news contract with Five...cant see Desmond paying one of his biggest rivals to provide him with news for any longer than he needs too?!! exciting times!!

The only other potential supplier is ITN who is owned by a big rival too! Remember to that BSkyB is a different company to News International.

He'll get whoever's the cheapest for the company, I suppose there is the potential to get it done in-house at Northern and Shell but setting up a new TV news service isn't cheap or easy (especially as it would be out on it's own)... and the newsdesks of the Star and Express have been decimated so badly since he took over that it would take a lot of expansion to do

Think it's till 2016 or so. Pretty sure they extended it recently.

I hope he likes porn

A nice look back on RTL's involvement on their website (including extract from station opening)

WWW.RTLGROUP.COM/WWW

Although News International is increasing its stake in Sky I believe?

There are plenty of other suppliers... Reuters, AP, CNN, even Al Jazeera English could provide a decent news service. Or a new company could be set up from the remains of a certain breakfast TV station that looks set to lay off most of its news dept.

There's also nothing stopping the BBC from production news content for other stations.

Actually, thinking about it.. now Desmond owns Five, you would think The Sun, NOTW etc could use this as a reason to go on the attack... but with that all important Sky News contract, they can't really use their powers to damage the reputation of Five.

News Corporation are currently trying to increase their stake in BSkyB, yes.


I'm sure they all could, but none of them currently directly supply broadcasts to a third party - they aren't news suppliers. I doubt any other them would be willing to set up such an arm and then bid for a contract, especially one as small as Five News. Remember it wouldn't be Channel 5 that went to a company and asks them to provide a service, it's put up to tender. Desmond is well known for cutting costs to the bone so when the contract comes up, he'll go for the cheapest option.


What you mean ITV set up a company using GMTV staff to provide news for Five in competition to ITN? That's not gonna happen. Besides when/if ITN take over news during Daybreak most of the staff that currently produce it will most likely transfer over


Theoretically nothing, no.... but it won't happen (except for S4C)

Well one out of four seems about right!

As long as Channel 5 make a new series of Bullseye with Jim Bowen presenting then I think everyone will be happy to forget any PSB obligations.

Well, I can see them not renewing the cricket contract when it comes up again in 2012. Big issue for the ECB, there.