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C5 commits to originals, news

UK broadcaster Channel 5 will stick to its pledge to increase its output of original productions and news programming following its acquisition by US media giant Viacom.

Media regulator Ofcom has carried out a ‘change of control review’ that considered C5’s commitment to boost its volume of news programmes and original productions in peaktime prior to the £450m (US$759m) takeover by Viacom in May.

Ofcom concluded that the change of control would not be prejudicial to the offer and has increased the minimum quotas in the C5 licence for original production in peaktime from 40% to 45%.

A C5 spokesman said this was in recognition of the fact that more than half of the channel’s peaktime schedule is now originated and that Viacom has committed to increased investment in UK original production.

The network’s news quota has risen from 260 hours per year to 280, while news in peaktime will increase from 100 hours to 120. This follows the decision by C5 to renew its contract with ITN to produce its 5 News bulletins through to early 2017.

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