Viacom buys Channel 5 - will this affect Neighbours or Home & Away?

[DRW50]

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/viacom-buy-channel-5-450-105154751.html;_ylt=A0LEVvNEVGNTfGgAiKoPxQt.;_ylu=X3oDMTBsa3ZzMnBvBHNlYwNzYwRjb2xvA2JmMQR2dGlkAw--

[Ben]

H&A is safe, as they have a series life contract with Channel 5. However, the show rates averagely at best, and it was mentioned on DS that they will be dropping the 1.15pm episode when the show returns from its 3 week hiatus. That hasn't been officially confirmed, so take it as you will.

Neighbours is a different story. Its contract will be up for renewal in 2016(?), and it is highly unlikely they will want to renew the show for the same over priced amount of £300 million that they paid in 2008 (the majority of which goes to FremantleMedia suits anyway). Neighbours has increased C5's daytime share, and pulled in numbers that they would never be able to achieve with anything else (and they've tried!). Every episode (both airings) make the channel's top 10; the recent 6.30pm First Look "special" of Kate's murder pulled in 1.41 million in overnights (the consolidated number will be higher), a figure they've not achieved in that slot since the days of Family Affairs, demonstrating an audience is available, just maybe not entirely at 5.30pm. The show is sponsored, rating high enough to increase the channel's audience share, is attracting advertisers - it's making Channel 5 money, and that's all that matters. There's no other programme that could rate the same as Neighbours at those times of day. I think there are more positives than negatives in C5 renewing the show.

[NothinButAttitude]

Hollyoaks doesn't air on Channel 5 does it? Or is it Channel 4 they air on?

[Ben]

Yeah, Hollyoaks airs on Channel 4. I'm not sure how that show survives, but I guess its low budget helps.

[NothinButAttitude]

I've always wondered that too. They have a huge cast and their sets don't look cheap. Is Channel 4 like BBC where the people pay taxes or is it like ITV where adverts (like American shows) fund the budget?

[Ben]

C4 is a publicly-owned, commercially-funded public service broadcaster. Like ITV, it makes its money from advertisers (and US networks). HO is sponsored, so that will cover some of the budget. They do have a large cast (but most are young newbies, so won't be earning a big salary), and the sets are reasonable, with some being purpose built, so that saves some money. They also film using one camera which also saves them money. However, they produce multiple big stunts each year, so there must be money available when they need it.

[NothinButAttitude]

Thanks. That all makes sense now.

[soapgirluk]

I'm still annoyed with 5 buying H&A in the first place lol
So many people stopped watching as when it switched stations it was off UK Tv for a Year

[TimWil]

I'm wondering how Big Brother and, more importantly, Celebrity Big Brother might be affected. It would be great if they showed it here in the US.

[DRW50]

They could have a crossover too.

[soapgirluk]

I used to love them when on ch4,

not as fond on 5 as they seem to not bother as much with psych tests for contestants imo & they seem to change rules to suit themselves more than 4 did.

oh and there highlights seem more biased than 4's ever did lol

I still watch of course