Confirmed US broadcaster Viacom buys channel 5 for £450 Million.

[JohnnyBB]

Richard Desmond is poised to announce the sale of Channel 5 to the US broadcaster that owns MTV for as much as £450m.

The US broadcaster, which owns channels including Nickelodeon and Comedy Central, is expected to announce the deal to the New York stock market on Thursday or Friday at the latest.

The deal is short of the typically aggressive £700m-plus target originally set by Desmond, the owner of the Daily Express and Daily Star.

But it nonetheless makes for a significant profit on the £103.5m he paid to buy the then loss-making Channel 5 from the German broadcaster RTL in 2010.

It is not clear what Viacom will do with Channel 5's £350m-a-year TV ad sales business. But it is thought likely that it will involve Rupert Murdoch's Sky.

BSkyB handles the TV ad sales in the UK for Viacom – the US broadcaster is Sky Media's biggest customer – and it is most likely to incorporate Channel 5's sales into its existing deal.

Desmond based his valuation on 10 times anticipated profits of £70m this year, but a number of analysts had set a top end valuation of £400m to £500m.

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The deal would allow the US pay-TV company to make a major move into free-to-air television in the UK.

In the UK it has moved into commissioning more original, homegrown shows for its key channels MTV, Comedy Central and Nickelodeon.

Viacom has invested heavily in entertainment, reality and children's television, which would make it a good fit for Channel 5.

It makes shows such as MTV's structured reality series Geordie Shore – which made a star of Charlotte Crosby, who went on to win Channel 5's Celebrity Big Brother.

In addition, along with Channel 5, Viacom invested in Peppa Pig via Nick Jr, which airs on Channel 5's children's segment Milkshake and on Nick Jr.

Channel 5 shows include the US drama imports CSI and The Mentalist, Edie Stobart: Trucks & Trailers, The Hotel Inspector and Extreme Fishing with Robson Green.

The broadcaster's children's strand Milkshake features shows including Peppa Pig, Fireman Sam and Thomas & Friends.

Channel 5 has six channels – the flagship Channel 5, 5* and 5 USA, and a +1, one-hour time-shifted variant for each – some of which could be converted to pay services.

Rivals including BSkyB and Discovery, which was considered the frontrunner to buy Channel 5, have expanded their operations into the free-to-air market.

Viacom declined to comment. Northern & Shell, Channel 5's parent company, said no deal had yet been concluded.


Source http://www.theguardian.com/media/2014/apr/30/richard-desmond-sale-channel-5-viacom?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

[Jake.]

I wonder what this will mean for BB

[Ramsay]

I wonder what this will mean for BB

DEATH

[King Gizzard]

How much did Big Dez buy it for?

[Tregard]

I wonder what this will mean for BB

Either it's gone or getting more structured, most likely.

[King Gizzard]

I should have read the OP

[MTVN]

BB will surely stay though it become even more trashy

[Jordan.]

Viacom has invested heavily in entertainment, reality and children's television, which would make it a good fit for Channel 5.

It makes shows such as MTV's structured reality series Geordie Shore – which made a star of Charlotte Crosby, who went on to win Channel 5's Celebrity Big Brother

Bb should be fine

[T*]

Omfg, Viacom is a horrid company. This isn't going to be good for big brother. This could mean that ANY fan videos of the upcoming series' will be deleted, They're really anal about everything.

[King Gizzard]

Omfg, Viacom is a horrid company. This isn't going to be good for big brother. This could mean that ANY fan videos of the upcoming series' will be deleted, They're really anal about everything.

Yup, they watch all torrenting and download activity too from my experience

[@bbuk_fans]

I'm confident BB will stay on Channel 5 if this sale is confirmed. Viacom know what they're doing with MTV and have many successful reality shows and marketing for these shows work very well. I would possibly expect a few more cast members from MTV shows to appear on CBB and BOTS

[JohnnyBB]

Is it bad i want bb axed im realy fed up with the way it is now, dont get me wrong its entertaing but i dont like the format id rarther see it axed.

[Josiah.]

I'd rather see BB go back to Channel 4 since Channel 5's been bought by Viacom.

[arista]

Omfg, Viacom is a horrid company. This isn't going to be good for big brother. This could mean that ANY fan videos of the upcoming series' will be deleted, They're really anal about everything.


Rubbish they may even give us Live Feed


Big Brother
gets the most viewers for Ch5
and Ch5HD

[arista]

I'd rather see BB go back to Channel 4 since Channel 5's been bought by Viacom.


Ch4 does not want BB

[Marsh.]

Bb should be fine

Depends what you mean by "fine". Not axed? Maybe.

But getting worse? I'd say it's highly likely.

[@bbuk_fans]

Depends what you mean by "fine". Not axed? Maybe.

But getting worse? I'd say it's highly likely.

Producers & exec producers will likely remain the same though.

[Marsh.]

Producers & exec producers will likely remain the same though.

But the channel will have a huge influence, after all they are the ones paying for it.

Otherwise the show would most likely still resemble its channel 4 days.

[T*]

Rubbish they may even give us Live Feed


Big Brother
gets the most viewers for Ch5
and Ch5HD

:facepalm: I'm presuming you didn't read my post properly?

[Samm]

BB is mainly run by the production team, not the channel

[@bbuk_fans]

But the channel will have a huge influence, after all they are the ones paying for it.

Otherwise the show would most likely still resemble its channel 4 days.

Well I guess its just a case of waiting. I would imagine only a few people know the future of the format/show because of all the sale stuff going on at the moment. There would be no point Endemol reaching a deal with Desmond if he sells off the business to Viacom. Endemol will have a big say as well though.

[Samm]

Lmao at people thinking that it will get worse just because the broadcaster has some sh*t show's, not every show is the same

[@bbuk_fans]

Lmao at people thinking that it will get worse just because the broadcaster has some sh*t show's, not every show is the same

Agreed. People should stop making assumptions.

[arista]

:facepalm: I'm presuming you didn't read my post properly?


I read all your post.


your Facts are Wrong

[T*]

I read all your post.


your Facts are Wrong

Oh really? My facts are wrong even though they had a big spat about it a few years ago?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viacom_International_Inc._v._YouTube,_Inc..

They are a horrid and unethical company.

[@bbuk_fans]

Oh really? My facts are wrong even though they had a big spat about it a few years ago?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viacom_International_Inc._v._YouTube,_Inc..

They are a horrid and unethical company.

Maybe because infringing copyrighted material is illegal?.....

[T*]

Maybe because infringing copyrighted material is illegal?.....

You literally have no clue how picky they were with it. Google it. They were taking down videos that fans had edited and put on youtube, what's to stop them doing this to people who upload bb fan vids on youtube now?

[@bbuk_fans]

You literally have no clue how picky they were with it. Google it. They were taking down videos that fans had edited and put on youtube, what's to stop them doing this to people who upload bb fan vids on youtube now?

thats my point, because its illegal to do that to copyrighted material.

[Marsh.]

Well I guess its just a case of waiting. I would imagine only a few people know the future of the format/show because of all the sale stuff going on at the moment. There would be no point Endemol reaching a deal with Desmond if he sells off the business to Viacom. Endemol will have a big say as well though.

BIB - Obviously. I never said any different.

[Me. I Am Salman]

jesus what is wrong with you people :umm2:
viacom >>>>>>>>>> northern & shell
northern & shell are same people responsible for OK! magazine.. I wouldn't be surprised if the show was edited to force showmances in order to create front page fodder. northern & shell is the absolute epitome of trash and tack, the show being out of its hands can only be a good thing.

[daniel-lewis-1985]

You literally have no clue how picky they were with it. Google it. They were taking down videos that fans had edited and put on youtube, what's to stop them doing this to people who upload bb fan vids on youtube now?

Its been that way for years though. My videos are constantly getting removed from youtube.

[T*]

thats my point, because its illegal to do that to copyrighted material.

Ooh, I forgot to tell you that they posted hundreds of videos from youtube on one oftheir own websites without the rightful owners permission AND called the content creators "fat" "stupid" etc. And then they had. The heart to shove a lawsuit up youtube ass? They're horrid. They may be better than N&S but still.

[Jemal]

You guys overreact a tad too much brah.
This is good. Not bad

[DigitalSid]

But the channel will have a huge influence, after all they are the ones paying for it.
They really won't, Ben Frow head of the channel at the minute had just one meeting with producers re: BB14, they're completely left to it, minus a creative director from C5 on site to approve things.

Otherwise the show would most likely still resemble its channel 4 days.
It does, it's no different now to the last two series on C4.

[@bbuk_fans]

Good point made by bbspy - viacom own 50% of the broadcaster of Big Boss, the indian version of Big Brother

[DigitalSid]

Is it bad i want bb axed im realy fed up with the way it is now, dont get me wrong its entertaing but i dont like the format id rarther see it axed.
Then don't watch it.

[Me. I Am Salman]

They really won't, Ben Frow head of the channel at the minute had just one meeting with producers re: BB14, they're completely left to it, minus a creative director from C5 on site to approve things.


It does, it's no different now to the last two series on C4.

Last two series? I wouldn't group BB10 with 11-14

[DigitalSid]

Last two series? I wouldn't group BB10 with 11-14
It had a better cast but the production was mostly the same, if I remember correctly it
was when they introduced the task montages and did away with the outside world rule. It certainly had changed to what it is now by CBB7.

[BBfanUSA]

Viacom actually is a sister company of CBS, which shows Big Brother USA.

I think we might finally get BBUK on TV overhere on MTV or MTV2.

[DigitalSid]

Viacom actually is a sister company of CBS, which shows Big Brother USA.

I think we might finally get BBUK on TV overhere on MTV or MTV2.

We might see BOTS or Live From The House air there (if they keep those on), but the show itself will remain on C5, they'll have more sense than to strip their new acquisition of it's biggest asset.

[BBfanUSA]

We might see BOTS or Live From The House air there (if they keep those on), but the show itself will remain on C5, they'll have more sense than to strip their new acquisition of it's biggest asset.

I meant in the US.

Hell since CBS owns a 5 Star esque channel called TVGN where they rerun BBUS on Fridays and show 2 hours of live feeds every night while the show is on the air, we could see it there.

[Me. I Am Salman]

It had a better cast but the production was mostly the same, if I remember correctly it
was when they introduced the task montages and did away with the outside world rule. It certainly had changed to what it is now by CBB7.

they didn't do task montages until BB11

and well they started to infringe the fundamental rules way back in 2006. imo whilst the Lisa/david day trip was pointless it was far less of a format breach compared to bringing evicted housemates back in the house

I didn't enjoy BB10 but production wise it's a whole world away from the mess it is now.

[Samm]

BB10 <3

[Shaun]

I can't see much changing other than perhaps a stronger emphasis on online advertising and marketing... which wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing.

[Glenn.]

They really won't, Ben Frow head of the channel at the minute had just one meeting with producers re: BB14, they're completely left to it, minus a creative director from C5 on site to approve things.


It does, it's no different now to the last two series on C4.

This is my take on it. Big Brother is its own show, with its own production cast. Can't see any drastic changes to the show. That is of course whether it stays.

[DigitalSid]

I meant in the US.

Hell since CBS owns a 5 Star esque channel called TVGN where they rerun BBUS on Fridays and show 2 hours of live feeds every night while the show is on the air, we could see it there.

Would be nice to see the reverse. Not a big fan of the US version but I'd watch it if it aired more regularly on TV here.

[DigitalSid]

they didn't do task montages until BB11
They definitely had them in CBB7.

and well they started to infringe the fundamental rules way back in 2006. imo whilst the Lisa/david day trip was pointless it was far less of a format breach compared to bringing evicted housemates back in the house
Having housemates walk among the public that have been watching them for 12 weeks is in my opinion the bigger breach.
I didn't enjoy BB10 but production wise it's a whole world away from the mess it is now.
BB10, production wise, was awful. They just didn't give a ****. Even the house was half arsed. Without such a brilliant cast I'd rank it lower than BB8.

[Headie]

They definitely had them in CBB7.


Having housemates walk among the public that have been watching them for 12 weeks is in my opinion the bigger breach.

BB10, production wise, was awful. They just didn't give a ****. Even the house was half arsed. Without such a brilliant cast I'd rank it lower than BB8.

BB8 is top tier kthxbai
http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn269/NCLulz/charley14.gif

[DigitalSid]

BB8 is top tier kthxbai
http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn269/NCLulz/charley14.gif

It's the worst civillian series to date.

[Me. I Am Salman]

BB8 >>>>>>>>>>>> all the series since bar BB9

[DigitalSid]

BB8 >>>>>>>>>>>> all the series since bar BB9

BB9 was also crap, saved only by Rex.

[Me. I Am Salman]

BB9 was brilliant.
Sure it's got nothing on BB5-7 but it's a strong series

[BigBrotherfan4ever]

So what channel number will BB on then, I've got VM.

[Jordan.]

Depends what you mean by "fine". Not axed? Maybe.

But getting worse? I'd say it's highly likely.

Why would it get worse? If anything it's only gotten better since it started on 5

[T*]

This is probably going to be good if they don't drop bb but I was saying before I worry for the fans who make videos and people wanting to watch from abroad

[T*]

So what channel number will BB on then, I've got VM.

105...

[Marsh.]

It does, it's no different now to the last two series on C4.

It's completely different.

[Marsh.]

Why would it get worse? If anything it's only gotten better since it started on 5

D:

[Me. I Am Salman]

Jordan wtf :umm2:

[Jordan.]

So you think it's gone downhill since BB12? :unsure:

[Jake.]

So you think it's gone downhill since BB12? :unsure:

They thought you meant that you prefer C5 BB to C4 BB

[Me. I Am Salman]

your post made it sound as if you were saying C5 BB > C4

and BB14 was a huge step down from BB13. BB13 might have just been a one off, we'll find out after this series

[DigitalSid]

It's really not that ludicrous a statement, CBB5 onwards on c4 was dire, far worse than anything C5 have put out (cept CBB8).

[BigBrotherfan4ever]

105...

I'm so stupid just realised it will still be Chanel 5:blush:

[arista]

Oh really? My facts are wrong even though they had a big spat about it a few years ago?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viacom_International_Inc._v._YouTube,_Inc..

They are a horrid and unethical company.


No you saying they would get rid of Big Brother UK
when its Ch5's biggest viewing show.

And YouTube has to be Legal

[Tregard]

thats my point, because its illegal to do that to copyrighted material.

Fair use, surely?

[@bbuk_fans]

Its confirmed now. Viacom buys C5 from Northern & Shell for £450m

[bananarama]

If they retain BB then judging by the geordie Shaw type shows BB may be less censored than at present.

I welcome less censorship but would not welcome it if they concentrated on sex thrills to the point of making it a trashy reality show like Geordie shaw.

I suspect that BB under this new ownership will drift into the area of trashy TV......Alas......

[Jay.]

Is it possible that viacom would want to put big brother on mtv?

[Jamesy]

The later C4 BBs were awful. BB14 last year proved the show can still be interesting. While most people moan about the editing and so on, they are only keeping up with the times, we may not like it but that's the only way the show can keep any life in itself.

[daniel-lewis-1985]

they didn't do task montages until BB11

and well they started to infringe the fundamental rules way back in 2006. imo whilst the Lisa/david day trip was pointless it was far less of a format breach compared to bringing evicted housemates back in the house

I didn't enjoy BB10 but production wise it's a whole world away from the mess it is now.

They did a montage of Sov being punished having to listen to Basshunter over and over. Everyone on the forums loved it (I thought it was cringe) and that's where it all started.

CBB7.

[Me. I Am Salman]

They did a montage of Sov being punished having to listen to Basshunter over and over. Everyone on the forums loved it (I thought it was cringe) and that's where it all started.

CBB7.

I was talking about civilian series.

[Beastie]

Big Brother will still carry on. Channel 4 should buy it back. It would be more credible if more witty and intelligent housemates went in then people won't slag it off as much.

[Me. I Am Salman]

The later C4 BBs were awful. BB14 last year proved the show can still be interesting. While most people moan about the editing and so on, they are only keeping up with the times, we may not like it but that's the only way the show can keep any life in itself.

no, BB13 demonstrated the show's potential. BB14 was on par with BB11
the graphics are extremely shoddy & mismatched and the editing looks like it's been done by a GCSE media student.. no one would have a problem if they were slickly produced.

[arista]

http://www.channel5.com/shows/5-news/features-archived/viacom-agrees-to-buy-channel-5-for-ps450-million-northern-shell-richard-desmond

[DigitalSid]

Is it possible that viacom would want to put big brother on mtv?
I doubt it, maybe BOTS.

[Jemal]

Mtv is getting more and more popular tbh

[BigBrotherfan4ever]

There speculation on Twitter BB will be turned into Georgie shore type show, never watched GS cause I don't fancy it, what are peoples thoughts on this, do you think this could happen.

[arista]

There speculation on Twitter BB will be turned into Georgie shore type show, never watched GS cause I don't fancy it, what are peoples thoughts on this, do you think this could happen.


No as its doing well on Ch5
Big Brother gets many viewers

[Jamesy]

no, BB13 demonstrated the show's potential. BB14 was on par with BB11
the graphics are extremely shoddy & mismatched and the editing looks like it's been done by a GCSE media student.. no one would have a problem if they were slickly produced.

BB14 on par with BB11, hmm, I disagree there. Generally more people were talking about BB14 than BB13 and there was more media coverage with BB14. People on here too seemed in higher spirits with BB14 - from start to finish it seemed like there was always something going on in last summers BB. BB13 I gave up on halfway through. These are just opinions though so each to their own.

I agree the graphics are awful. Although in terms of how the show is handled it has got better over the last CBB/BB. It's far from perfect but the production team seem to be learning as each series comes.

[Marsh.]

I preferred BB14, aside from the graphics I enjoyed the mix of housemates and generally whilst it wasn't perfect, the production was a step in the right direction.

BB13 was wrong on all levels. Hated every second.

BB14 is the first series I can say I've genuinely enjoyed all the way through since BB7 tbh. Although I didn't mind BB11 at the time either, probably because I was looking at it as the end.

[MTVN]

Got to hand it to Des he knows his stuff, nearly a £350m profit on C5 in just four years

[Headie]

OMG I just realised that Viacom own VH1 :love:

Can they please start airing re-runs Flavor of Love and Charm School in the UK.

And I hope this means they'll cast more ghetto housemates or diverse housemates.

[Me. I Am Salman]

I preferred BB14, aside from the graphics I enjoyed the mix of housemates and generally whilst it wasn't perfect, the production was a step in the right direction.

BB13 was wrong on all levels. Hated every second.

BB14 is the first series I can say I've genuinely enjoyed all the way through since BB7 tbh. Although I didn't mind BB11 at the time either, probably because I was looking at it as the end.

this post is just strange.

[Me. I Am Salman]

apparently a nominations twist every single week and a rehash of the BB5 bedsit is a 'step towards the right direction' on the production team's part lolz

[arista]

OMG I just realised that Viacom own VH1 :love:

Can they please start airing re-runs Flavor of Love and Charm School in the UK.

And I hope this means they'll cast more ghetto housemates or diverse housemates.


Yes Viacom are Big

[arista]

On Ch5HD news now

[reece(:]

apparently a nominations twist every single week and a rehash of the BB5 bedsit is a 'step towards the right direction' on the production team's part lolz
Production need sacking from BB14, even that clown Jennings was more capable then whoever came up with last series twists.

[DigitalSid]

C5 news report, they'll be interviewing Viacom at 6:30:
UVqzDNC1Ly0

[Headie]

Imagine if they run a BBUS format instead of CBB in January :love: (lol wishful thinking but still)

[Jack_]

^ that would be amazing but if nothing else I hope we get BBUS/CAN on 5USA. Didn't someone in here say they're affiliated with CBS/TVGN or something? Can't be bothered looking back

[Mystic Mock]

What I want to have happen on BB is this.

January you have CBB air out it's 2 to 3 weeks. Then we have Civilian BB airing in May for about 10 weeks. Then do a BBUSA styled show in August or whenever they air the second CBB normally.

[arista]

http://trialx.com/g/Philippe_Dauman-1.jpg
Viacom CEO was in New York
the owner of sponge bob.

Great Interview
he gave to Ch5HD News Talk

[Mystic Mock]

Good old Spongebob.

[Marsh.]

this post is just strange.

apparently a nominations twist every single week and a rehash of the BB5 bedsit is a 'step towards the right direction' on the production team's part lolz

a) The "BB5 bedsit" didn't dominate the series.
b) Are any BB twists original or brand new? The show's 14 years old.
c) Look up definition of "opinion" then you might find it less strange.

[BBfanUSA]

^ that would be amazing but if nothing else I hope we get BBUS/CAN on 5USA. Didn't someone in here say they're affiliated with CBS/TVGN or something? Can't be bothered looking back

They're sister companies but independent of each other. They were one company back in like 2004 or something. I forgot to point that out

There could be a possibility they will show BBUSA on 5* or 5USA but I think CBS has it own stations in the UK but they're pay channels.

[Samm]

C5 news report, they'll be interviewing Viacom at 6:30:
UVqzDNC1Ly0

This sounds good, Saying that they are going to invest money into the British TV programs

[Headie]

^ that would be amazing but if nothing else I hope we get BBUS/CAN on 5USA. Didn't someone in here say they're affiliated with CBS/TVGN or something? Can't be bothered looking back

They're connected to CBS, which is a good sign in terms of the possibility of BBUS at least airing over here.

[BBDodge]

Viacom are pretty ruthless at protecting their copyright material leaked onto Youtube.

Official clips only.