Channel 5

I've always found the current 'big screen in an abandoned warehouse' look a bit gloomy, so something a bit more in line with the other Viacom channels (maybe not Viva, mind) would make for a nice change.

I think it's one thing that's actually worked really well for them - the print logo looks awful but on screen it's served them well and the ident concept has proved quite flexible. It's also lasted for quite a while - indeed is it their longest running ident set?

It's also a blantant copy of a Foo Fighters video! It started off alright I suppose, but then they stuck to the same set of 2 or 3 idents and never really branched out unless it was for a special occasion and even then they were tailored for a particular show and so not always seen.

A new logo, better idents and graphics and some more "upmarket" programming (if that's what the aim is here - you never know!) would certainly help. Sorting out their dire SD picture quality and making Channel 5 HD available on Freeview and free-to-air on Sky/Freesat/Virgin should also be somehting that's looked at with this repositioning.

I see they are now airing promos for Spike TV on Channel 5.

I wonder if Channel 5 were given master copies of the two episodes of Neighbours they showed tonight? The last scene of Scott and Charlene's wedding showed the blue Neighbours logo at the end like they used to do on the Australian broadcasts.

The sponsorship credits at the end of both episodes were also left out but were better edited out than the BBC's attempt I think.

According to the Broadcast article which is now online, Channel 5 will rebrand later this year, has renewed Big Brother until 2018, move more in to scripted comedy and dramas as well as more documentaries and is seeking a change in PSB broadcast terms. They also plan on introducing new programming that people wouldn't traditionally associate with Channel 5.

http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/news/viacom-makes-its-mark-on-channel-5/5084354.article

I can't read the article but I've read elsewhere today that Viacom has negotiated repeats of Big Brother for MTV UK.

They started that with the last celebrity series.

Paste the link in to Google and search for it, then you will be able to read the whole thing.

Channel 5 to get a rebrand by the end of the year.

http://www.a516digital.com/2015/03/channel-5-to-get-viacom-rebrand-later.html

Good to see a big push on bigger and younger skewing shows. I actually think the C5 logo looks great in print, aside from when they've shoved the word channel on it, and I'll be sad to see the current presentation go although the original idents that still get used need dropping.

Shame that they've gone for an external company rather than the brilliant 5Creative to handle it.

I hope it doesn't mean it becomes another crap MTV/VIVA clone consisting of fame-hungry wastes of skin.