Five

Demand Five, Five's recently re-launched video on demand service has seen the number of visitors to the site more than double since it soft-launched three weeks ago it was announced today (THURS).

The 30-day catch-up service provides viewers with online access to a significant percentage of Five's peaktime schedule including much of its hit acquired content such as CSI and Neighbours.

The offering is extended with a raft of originated programming including: Fifth Gear; The Hotel Inspector; Extraordinary People and Hidden Lives. A large number of programmes will also be available for much longer than 30 days, with the majority of content available free, streamed within the website (www.five.tv/demandfive).

Demand Five's technical partners are BT Media and Broadcast working closely with Entriq and Agency.com which has allowed for a full-screen viewing experience, just like watching the content on a TV.

Five has confirmed a new raft of factual commissions, it was announced today (THURS).

Highland Emergency, produced by Granada Factual London, is a 30-part observational documentary series based on unprecedented access to the emergency services in the Highlands of Scotland including The Search and Rescue teams at RAF Lossiemounth and HMS Gannet, the Northern Constabulary, the air and road ambulance, the mountain rescue and ski patrol teams, Raigmore Hospital and NHS Highland, and the Coastguard. The beautiful but inhospitable terrain of the Highlands provides a stunning backdrop for the series which follows the work of the emergency services as they undertake terrifying rescues on land, sea and mountains in all weathers.

Ben Gale is to be Five’s new Director of Programmes, it was announced today.

Gale, currently the BBC’s Commissioning Editor for Features and Formats, will take up his new post, overseeing programming for the broadcaster’s core channel, at a date to be announced soon.

Five’s Managing Director, Content, Lisa Opie, said: “I’m delighted that we have secured such a talented and creative executive as Ben to this key role at the channel.

“This is a tremendously exciting time at Five, both in terms of creativity and ratings success, and I know Ben is the right person to take the main channel onto even greater heights.”

Ben Gale said: “I’m thrilled to be joining Five. The channel has enjoyed a great start to the year and I can’t wait to become part of the Five team and help to build on that success.”

friday, 7th March, 2008

Five has secured renowned architectural designer Charlie Luxton as its new face of property and architecture, it was announced today (FRI).

Charlie takes over from George Clarke to present Build A New Life In The Country when it returns for a fourth series next year and is about to co-host a new nine-part series on the channel, I Own Britain's Best Home, which transmits on the 20th March at 8pm.

As part of the newly revamped arts portfolio on Five, Charlie will also present Open House later in the year. This brand-new seven part series follows one of London's most prestigious architectural events, Open House, which takes place in the capital every September and allows the public to enjoy unprecedented access to some of the country's most celebrated buildings.

Five's managing Director, Content, Lisa Opie, said: "Jay has already achieved a great deal during her brief time at Five and the first half of 2008 is already scheduled and commissioned.

"She will be with the channel for a few months yet and we look forward to having the benefit of her enthusiasm and creativity until she leaves for the BBC.

"We know this has been a very hard decision for Jay to make and wish her all the best in her new role."

Five is conducting a review of its procedures and co-authoring a handbook for independent producers as part of its initiative to address the issue of viewer trust, it was announced today.

The channel is reviewing its processes, contracts and supplier relationships to ensure viewers can have total faith in the broadcaster.

Five is also the co-author, with Channel Four, of the Independent Producers’ Handbook, which is to be published in the Autumn, and will be reminding its suppliers of their duties and obligations.

Five’s Chief Executive, Jane Lighting, said: “The question of viewer trust is the most serious issue we face today. Our viewers, brand and reputation are the most valuable assets we have.

“We hope that these initiatives will help to rebuild the relationship of trust, which has been damaged by recent events, and that must exist between a broadcaster and its audience.”

Five is also briefing its staff to be vigilant for instances where best practice is not followed and to ensure that the highest standards of rigour and transparency are maintained across all its services.

five launches +1 services

Five is to launch +1 services for its two digital channels, Five Life and Five US, it was announced today (THURS).

The time-shifted channels, Five Life +1 and Five US +1 will launch on satellite in early Autumn this year.

Five's CEO, Jane Lighting, said: "I'm delighted we can offer these new services to our viewers less than a year after so successfully launching Five US and Five Life."

Since the digital channels launched in October 2006 more than 25 million viewers have tuned into Five Life and Five US. Five US has attracted an average audience share of 0.58 and Five Life 0.42, establishing both as top 15 UK non-terrestrial channels within peak.

Five US showcases the best of American Television including blockbuster films, the CSI franchise and more recently House and is set to exclusively air the critically-acclaimed hit American show, Dirt starring Courteney Cox.

Five Life offers a mix of acquired and originated drama, entertainment and factual programming and includes: Home and Away, which is one of the top ten digital programmes, regularly attracting 700,000 viewers per episode, Extraordinary People, Trisha Goddard and The Wright Stuff.

Channel Five has landed a coup, winning the exclusive British rights to air an interview with Princes William and Charles. The interview was conducted for American station NBC and features the two royals talking about life after their mother Diana's deah 10 years ago and the process of organising the concert for Diana that takes place next week.

The interview will be aired next week and reportedly shows "two future monarchs in the making." Don't forget to check it out!

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tuesday, 29th may, 2007
five names hunt as new director of programmes

Jay Hunt is to be Five's new Director of Programmes, it was announced today (TUES).

Hunt, currently the BBC's Controller of Daytime and Early Peak, will take up her new post overseeing programming for the broadcaster's core channel later this year.

Five's Managing Director, Content, Lisa Opie, said: "I am thrilled we have been able to appoint an executive as creative, dynamic and energetic as Jay.

"Her record of success at the BBC speaks for itself and I'm excited that one of the most astute operators in the business is becoming part of the Five team."

Jay Hunt said: "I'm delighted to have been given this tremendous opportunity. The prospect of building on Five's existing successful programming and taking the channel to the next phase of its development is irresistible."

Hunt joined the BBC as a researcher on Breakfast News in 1989. She went on to work for Newsnight and Panorama as an output editor and senior producer. She then became editor of the One O'Clock News before moving to the editor's chair at the Six O'Clock News in April 2001, where she later oversaw the programme's relaunch.

Five life unveils new daytime line-up

Five Life will have a new daytime schedule from the Summer, it was announced today, Thursday May 10.

Five Life will start the mornings with Five's well known children's strand Milkshake! from 6am to 10.00am. Next up, Home and Away fans will have a chance to get nostalgic, with specially selected episodes from the past, entitled Home and Away – The Early Years.

At 11.00am, that day's The Wright Stuff will get a second outing on Five Life. The show, hosted by opinionated and straight-talking Matthew Wright has been a hit on Five since it launched seven years ago and features a mix of studio discussions and phone-ins on all the hot topics of the day.

After The Wright Stuff, there is a double bill of talk shows with Trisha at 12.30pm, followed by The Ellen Degeneres Show at 1.30pm.

A themed movie week runs from 2.30-4.30pm, followed by an hour long feature entertainment slot with well known Five brands such as Build a New Life in the Country.