MX23RW : Thursday, March 28 09:58:19| >> :600:78834082:78834082:

Ofcom approves Channel 5's planned changes to news output

Ofcom approves Channel 5's planned changes to news output
© Channel 5
TV regulator Ofcom gives Channel 5 permission to launch a new one-hour news bulletin in the weekday 5pm timeslot.

TV regulator Ofcom has given Channel 5 the go-ahead to create a new 60-minute news bulletin in the 5pm hour on weekdays.

Up until now, terms of the broadcaster's licence have required the channel to broadcast a certain quota of news content in peaktime - resulting in two 30-minute news bulletins being shown, at 5pm and 6.30pm.

The 6.30pm bulletin largely repeats content shown at 5pm and also competes with other news bulletins shown on the BBC and ITV at the exact same time.

Channel 5 had asked Ofcom to allow it to instead broadcast a one-hour news bulletin starting at 5pm, a move that would result in more investment into its news coverage and allow it to explore news items in more depth.

In a statement, Ofcom said: "Following a consultation, we have approved a request from Channel 5 to change the conditions of its licence relating to its news provision.

"We have considered the range of views submitted by stakeholders and concluded that the changes will continue to meet the objectives for news and current affairs programming requirements set out in the Communications Act 2003."

Although the new hour-long bulletin is not expected to be on air imminently, Channel 5 is rolling out a new early evening schedule in the coming weeks, as Eggheads joins the lineup in a new weekday 6.30pm slot from October 4.

ID:465466:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect1849:

Follow us on X/Twitter and like us on Facebook for the latest entertainment news alerts.

Media Mole Limited-Time Offer: Get Sky Cinema, Sky Stream & Netflix for just £27 a month + £0 upfront fee for 18 months!
Prices may change during this period. Ends 21st March 2024

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
A BBC satellite
Read Next:
BBC One, BBC Two broadcasting on backup systems after fire incident
>
Read more about Broadcasting Entertainment
rhs 2.0
New TV Picks header

Saturday, March 23


Diana Ross Night: BBC Two, from 9.15pm
Miss Ross's best performances at the Beeb (9.15pm), her 1973 gig at the Royal Albert Hall (10.15pm) and a screening of The Wiz (11.15pm)

Edward & Wallis: The Bahamas Scandal - Revealed: Channel 5, 9.15pm
The "sordid story" of ex-Kingie and his wife's time in the Caribbean in the war years

The Jonathan Ross Show: ITV1, 9.35pm
With guests Paul Rudd, Mel B and Billie Piper