Channel 5 Shakes it Up
Ofcom has made it clear to ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5 that they must increase their commitment to providing quality children's content, or risk being regulated to do that, under the new powers granted to the regulator in the Digital Economy Act.
After successful campaigning by CMF and the launch of the Young Audiences Content Fund, there are clear opportunities for the PSBs to engage with the Fund to improve their children's slates. But the Fund is insisting that they must offer not only the broadcasting platform but at least some of the financing. ITV recently announced a 10% increase in its children's budget and Channel 4 has indicated that their new proposals - to be announced 
in detail soon - will be funded. In the meantime, Channel 5 has announced it will double the Milkshake budget with a seven figure boost to cover live action, puppet shows and more regional content - clearly designed with the Fund in mind. S4C has also set aside budget to match the Fund's contributions to Welsh language programming for children and young people.
The news continues to be positive. The new Fund, and slow but steady Ofcom pressure are producing results.
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