Channel 5 and ITV research

Channel 5 + ITV research 

 

 

Channel 5: Information: 

• Available on Freeview and subscription networks 

• Doesn't produce the majority of its own programmes, recommend the Producers Alliance for Cinema and Television (PACT) Directory for producing groups they work with. Do not have presenting, production, technical or studio work available. 
• "reaches over 80% of the UK population with a diverse schedule of high quality content spanning a range of genres from critically acclaimed issue-led documentaries to BAFTA-winning features, popular factual content to talent-led entertainment series, stunning natural history programming to insightful and accessible history commissions" "aims to tell the story of modern Britain" 
• Has an average monthly audience reach of 42 million, with 53.9% being female. 
• This table shows the likelihood of an audience member watching. 100 is the total tv average so any less means they are less likely to watch channel 5, and a higher number means they'll be more likely to watch the channel: 

Adults  16-34	Adults ABC1	HousewivesABC1	Housewives with children	Men 16-34	Women 16-34	Men ABC1
58	88	113	113	42	74	80

 

Preferred Genres: 

• Factual: Broad, robust documentary series for 9pm with clear irresistible proposition and intelligence at its heart, e.g. Shoplifters and Proud, Store Detectives Returnable 8pm series, some access or lightly formatted in broad subject areas that reflect who we are and how we live 10pm entertaining documentary series or one-offs, intelligent, controversial and innovative series ideas which can punch above their weight in terms of noise, reputation and ratings – both for young skewing and ABC1s Strong reputational history series on broad subjects and event pieces which could be stripped across the week. Schedule stunts with fast turnaround news documentaries Popular observational documentary series with big ratings potential that re-invent familiar territories, such as law and order, crime, medical, transport; connecting to our audience and their lives  Presenter-led series which allows us to explore big ideas and new territories At 9pm, I’m interested in observational documentaries and lightly-formatted series made with style and intelligence but with broad appeal 
• Factual entertainment: Younger skewing entertaining ideas for the 10pm slot. Not necessarily studio based or your typical “shiny floor” show and not necessarily long runs. Could be an observational documentary or a soft format.  Shared viewing series ideas with broad appeal for 8pm. What are the current talked-about territories we are not covering? Is there a specialist or expert, or just a good soft format that’s so reliant on its casting that it feels consistently fresh? A witty and intelligent talent-led passion project for 9pm. A returnable series with broad appeal for 9pm weeknights. A new male skewing factual entertainment proposition for weeknights at 8pm Ambitious, brave and talked about series ideas that jump out from the schedule ideally for 8pm and 9pm Monday – Thursday, particularly male-skewing series for Mondays at 9pm Enjoyable popular-factual series for 8pm and 9pm with warmth, humour and loveable characters. A real treat for the channel which might also showcase established talent. Upmarket thoughts are welcome. observational documentary series that offer a unique view of modern Britain. Surprising characters, clever storylines and territories that feel connected to the way we really live today 

 

Time Slots: 

• Normally, documentaries shown at 8pm and 9pm, with the news quickly shown in between on weekdays. The one with the wider audience is shown in the 9pm slot. 

• Show darker programmes after 9pm, e.g. 'tortured to death: murdering the nanny' was shown at 10:00pm and was then followed by 'The EastEnders Murderers: True Crime, Real Tragedy' at 11:05pm on Friday 22nd June. 

• More light-hearted programmes shown in the early evening e.g. 'The wonderful world of puppies' is shown at 6:30pm/7:00pm twice a week. 

 

ITV: Information: 

• Annually ITV invests around £1 billion in content for its broadcast channels and ITV.com.  
• In 2017, 99% of all commercial audiences over 5 million were on ITV and 96% over three million  
• 21m registered users of the ITV Hub 
• 54% of total ITV Studios revenue was from outside the UK in 2017 
• Has a large market in America 

• UK average linear television viewing in 2017 was 203 minutes per day, down from 212 minutes in 2016.  
• channels reach over 60% of the UK population each week  
• 81 % Housewives reached by the ITV Family in one week  
• 57 % 16-34s reached by the ITV Family in one week  
• Shown the most watched drama series and new drama series on any channel: Broadchurch averaged 10.7m viewers and Liar averaged 8.3m viewers. 

• Liar was the most watched new drama series 
• Broadchurch was the most watched drama series averaging 10.7m 
• An average ITV week reaches: 

ABC1's	ABC1 Men	16-34 yr olds	16-34 yr old women	Housewives
73%	70%	57%	66%	81%

 

Preferred Genres: 

• Comedy: "We already have single camera and studio sitcoms on our slate, and we want more of them. Comedies on the main channel need to have a broad appeal to a wide audience, so our shows need to be accessible. Modern, contemporary and high production values are key to our requirements, and above all we want to laugh. We are also looking for hour long comedy dramas." 
• Factual: "Authenticity is important", "We want to reflect the diverse nature of our audience in terms of background, culture and disabilities both on-screen and off-screen. So we will want to see our programmes populated with people from a wide range of ethnic and class backgrounds; and we also expect the production teams to be made up of people from an equally broad range of backgrounds." 
• Drama: "We are looking for clear ideas which can deliver the highest quality popular mainstream drama to the largest audience. No subject is off-limits - we can rise to celebratory, hilarious highs or plunge to very dark areas of human behaviour. But we will always look for mainstream appeal and an accessible way in for our audience." "An ITV drama is never cynical ...we seek the hope of redemption. We don’t do black comedy or satire, and we can’t be bleak." 
• Daytime: "Daytime ideas should have peak time values, humour, originality and diversity." "While not growing as quickly as scripted content, demand for unscripted content remains strong as networks continue to require lower cost, high volume popular series. The UK remains the dominant producer of unique unscripted formats. " 

 

 

Time Slots: 

• Crime dramas usually in the 9:00-10:00pm slot as they are then allowed to use more conventions due to it being post watershed. 
• Popular factual programmes, such as 'Long Lost Family: what happened next', shown at 9:00pm during the weekdays 
• Vera shown from 7:00pm-9:00pm on Monday 18th June 

 

ITV3 features a lot of crime dramas-> predominantly dramas throughout the day, with occasional reality tv (such as Judge Judy) and some films.                                                                                                                                                            

This research has helped me get a better idea of what to do as it makes it clearer as to what each channel prefers and what they would be more likely to be broadcast.