This Week’s Poll: Which programmes should Channel Five acquire?
This week’s poll is asking you to vote for which programmes you would like to see Channel Five acquire. Ever since Richard Desmond took controller of the broadcaster during the summer there has been plenty of speculation about which programmes Desmond could buy to boost ratings for Channel Five. But what programmes do the viewers on the channel want to see?
Big Brother
Top of the so-called ‘wishlist’ of programmes wanted by Richard Desmond, according to the tabloids, is Big Brother. The reality series ended its 11th and final series on Channel Four just a few weeks ago but is that really the last we’ve seen of it? The final few years of Big Brother have undeniable seen its ratings tumble but the levels it has fallen to would still be good for Channel Five and with the support of The Daily Express and The Daily Star – both owned by Desmond – behind it the series could find new life on Five. But the big question is has the British public had enough of desperate, fame hungry wannabes dominating the summer?
The Bill
Shamefully axed by ITV earlier this year because the revamped it ordered to turn the drama into a more Americanised production – along the lines of CSI – flopped big time. The Bill’s cast and crew paid the price for ITV’s error in judgement in revamping, moving and cutting down the series. It’s demise has angered fans and been widely criticised but despite the outcry no other broadcaster has come forward to offer the drama a lifeline. However, could that change with Desmond now in control of Channel Five? The Bill has an established audience, so no need to take time building it up, and the ratings it was attracting towards the end of its run would look spectacular on Channel Five.
Top of the Pops
According to the tabloids the chart music programme is also on Desmond’s wishlist of programmes to buy. However, Simon Cowell has also previously expressed a wish to revive the series but the BBC seemed reluctant to part with the rights or authorise a revival. The problem was by the end Top of the Pops did end it was out of touch with modern audiences and how they acquire their music nowadays. So while reviving Top of the Pops would earn Channel Five some brownie points it would have to be vastly updated to work and there is just no guarantee it would work in today’s internet driven world.
Heartbeat
Another drama axed by ITV with a dedicated loyal audience but bringing over Heartbeat may be more of an outside chance. Evan fans of the rural 1960s based series would agree that it had more or less run its course and if it were to return it would need revamping. Heartbeat’s downfall was its reluctance to leave the 1960s and enter the 1970s – it quite literally got stuck in time and the audience just didn’t buy it. However, the Sunday evening favourite was still pulling in respectable ratings at the end and as with the other shows those kinds of figures would look brilliant on Five.
Voting will remain open until next Monday. Other options in this week’s poll also include Brookside and American soap The Bold and the Beautiful.
