Scripted drama boosts C5 growth
Original drama was a key driver in Channel 5 reaching its fourth consecutive year of growth in 2022, with scripted shows making the top five programmes of the year.
The channel’s share of all-individual’s viewing last year increased by +1% year-on-year (YOY) overall. drama accounting for the channel’s top five shows of the year.
The Teacher, starring Sheridan Smith, drew an audience of 4.3m across its run, the channel’s highest figures for a commissioned drama. It was followed by the third series of All Creatures Great and Small (ACGAS) (3.8m), The Holiday (2.9m) and Maxine (2.6m). The final episode of Neighbours on 29th July consolidated to 3.9m.
Factual programming remained a solid performer for the channel; The Yorkshire Farm: Reuben & Clive was the channel’s highest new factual show of the year with 2.1m watching the two-parter, whilst returners Warship: Life At Sea, Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly and Ben Fogle: New Lives In the Wild all attracted over 2m viewers.
Contributing to its overall growth, Channel 5 also had its strongest ever year for share of viewing in the 7pm slot, up +3% YOY. Key titles included World’s Most Scenic River Journeys and 30 Ways To Cut Your Bills, How Do They Really Do It? and World’s Strongest Man.
Over Christmas 2022, Channel 5 had its best festive fortnight since 2005, taking a 7% share of viewing from 19 December 2022 – 1 January 2023. This was due to several strong films and another Christmas special of ACGAS - the most popular programme on TV across the hour for the second year running.
Ben Frow, chief content officer, UK, at Paramount said: “Four consecutive years of share growth is a huge achievement for any channel and it’s testament to the strength and variety of Channel 5’s schedule – which is continuing to change perceptions of the channel and attract new viewers.”
Also on The Knowledge
The BFI unveils new filmmaking fund
The BFI National Lottery Filmmaking Fund is now open, with £36.6m allocated over three years for fiction feature films UK-wide.
Global Production Awards: final call for entries
The entry deadline for Screen International’s inaugural Global Production Awards is Friday March 17.
UK to reform film and high-end TV tax reliefs with only marginal rise expected
The UK is to reform its film and TV tax reliefs, introducing new expenditure credits with a headline rate of 34% for films and high-end TV programmes and 39% for animations and children’s TVprogrammes. The reform will change the way relief is calculated.
BFI and Screen Producers Australia announce UK Connect programme delegations
The BFI and Screen Producers Australia (SPA) have announced the UK and Australian companies selected to participate in UK Connect -- a new initiative and Australian market first between SCREEN FOREVER and the BFI.
Welsh prodcos win funding to research innovative content
BBC Cymru Wales and Media Cymru have awarded two Welsh production companies funding to research and develop (R&D) innovative content.
Bronte sisters drama among Series Mania co-pro pitch finalists
A coming-of-age drama about the Bronte sisters from The Fall exec Patrick Irwin is among the series selected for the co-pro pitch competition at Series Mania.
