PROGRAMME PRODUCTION
Hello and welcome to the Channel 5 Programming pages
Channel 5 has the smallest commissioning team of any PSB terrestrial channel, but we pack an almighty punch! We play to our strengths as an agile and nimble team, with creativity, innovation and flexibility at the heart of our commissioning strategies.
We are always on the lookout for the next hit show and we have a high rate of returning series. Our aim is to bring as many people to the channel for as long as possible, giving them more of what they want. We pride ourselves on a schedule that is competitive, dynamic and rewarding..
In terms of what we’re looking for, we’re after more life-affirming and escapist programming to attract a broad audience. Nostalgia-inducing, reassuring, feel good content is all top of our list, as well as content with an appreciation of nature, home cooking, family and British heritage.
We’re always keen to broaden our already wide factual offering and this year will be looking to increase the volume of history content on the channel. In addition, we’ll also continue to commission more hard-hitting reputational pieces, as and when the time feels right.
Following our successful move into drama commissioning, we’re also seeking to ramp up our investment in this genre, which has the added benefit of doing well on video on-demand. Most of our slots for 2021 are now full, but we’re always open to a brilliant, stand out idea.
We like big names attached to our shows, but we’re also well-known for cultivating and championing new talent, as shown by the recent launch of our New Faces, New Voices initiative.
Diversity and inclusion is woven into the fabric of everything we do and we have a ‘No Diversity, No Commission’ content policy for suppliers, which is a must in order to secure a commission from us. From an on-screen perspective, we want to reflect society at large and we encourage producers to come to us with a breadth of stories.
We’re a broad, accessible channel and have unique appeal to a regional audience and super-serving these audiences remains an ongoing priority.. We’re therefore always interested in hearing from indies outside of the M25. Whatever you pitch, the commissioners will always try to give you a prompt response – we can’t wait to hear your ideas!
