General

Five today unveiled some compelling new winter programmes for 2008, with an emphasis on engrossing human interest stories, factual programming and contemporary documentaries.

It Pays to Watch is a new money programme presented by Martin Lewis, one of Britain’s leading consumer journalists. In this entertaining new magazine series, money-saving zealot Martin Lewis shows viewers how to get more cash in their pockets without having to get a new job, downsize or rob a bank. Expert Lewis can save a family an average of £5,000 a year, not by teaching them to cut back, but by showing them how to beat the system.

Britain’s Bravest tells the incredible stories of real emergencies, rescues and bravery from around the country. Using powerful testimonies and dramatic reconstruction of the events, the series will make use of all available archive footage from the emergency services videos and recordings, CCTV images and user generated footage.

The Walt Disney Company's ABC Studios & Disney Channel, MTV, Nickelodeon & Paramount Comedy Offer Wide Range of Programmes in ITUNES for £1.89 per episode.

Paul Abbott, once a writer for Coronation Street, had criticised current TV shows as being "diluted, half baked porridge" as well as "dull and lazy". He also says that storylines have been thinned out unnecessarily.

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It looks likely that there will be price rises for customers of Virgin television as the company strategises to expand its portfolio.

Read the full story here.

Channel 4 has a whole new look for spring this year - with a variety of different shows to be shown, including, Schoolboy Joel - about a boy smoking since he was eight, The Yellow House - about artists Vincent Van Gogh and Paul Gauguin when they shared a room and Wife Swap is back with celebrities getting involved...

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Television soap operas might be encouraging teenagers to drink more, according to a latest survey published in The Food Magazine. Alcohol - shown in the background or consumed by characters has found to make up a considerable proportion of screen time, with some soaps faring worse than others.

Hollyoaks, Coronation Street and Emmerdale have alcohol featured in 18%, 17% and 16% of scenes respectively. With soap operas having alcohol featured in this amount suggests, according to study author Cally Matthews, that alcohol consumption is appropriate, healthy and normal.

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BBC Leeds is getting on board with Comic Relief with a Stars In Our Eyes spectacular and a unique comedy show.

Three comedians from different faiths give their hilarious take on life for I Can't Believe It's Comedy.

The evening will be hosted by Bennet Arron, who describes himself as the only Welsh Jewish comedian on the comedy circuit.

He'll be joined by a first-class line-up including John Moloney, a Roman Catholic and winner of the Best Live Performer award for two years running at the London Comedy Festival.

Also performing is Inder Manocha who draws on his Bahá'í faith to delight audiences with his mix of cross-cultural satire, current affairs and nonsense.

I Can't Believe It's Comedy will be held at Jongleurs in Leeds at 7pm on Sunday 11 March. Tickets are available from Jongleurs or Bar Risa on Albion Street in Leeds.

The evening promises lots of laughs, good company and an excellent night out with all proceeds going to Comic Relief.

Three programmes set to be screened on Channel 4 have been shelved after the huge criticism and controversy that surrounded Celebrity Big Brother.

A season of programmes dubbed "w**k week" that included a "masturbate-a-thon", and the "Virgin School" will no longer be screened as they would likely have brought further controversy and criticism - something Channel 4 is desperately trying to avoid at the moment.

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It looks like viewers will be able to watch their favourite shows online and / or download them onto their own computers not long after they are broadcasted... Approval has been given by BBC Trust and such plans could be up and running later this year. Meanwhile much tougher restrictions will be placed on music.

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Already Channel 4 has screened two shows about Tony Blair, "A Very Social Secretary" and "The Trial of Tony Blair" and it is now planning to make another drama about Blair and the current Labour government. Robert Lindsay, who played Blair in both the previous dramas has reportedly said he would be happy to play the role once again.

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Jennifer Garner - a baby had changed her life in more ways than she expected but it's all good ways!

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The animated series Popetown, banned by the BBC but later realeased in the UK via DVD is subject to much controversy. The portrayal of the Vatican and the pope (who jumps around on a pogo stick) has resulted in demands for the show to be banned. Meanwhile the programme has aired in Germany and other countries.

Here's a cool quiz for seeing how well you know your 2006 UK TV! How many did you get right from the 50 questions?