Channel 4 set to debut live quiz channel by year end

by Sam Matthews, Brand Republic 30-Jun-05, 11:00

LONDON - Channel 4 is preparing to launch a live quiz channel provisionally called Call TV on Freeview, Sky or cable from the end of 2005 after successfully trialling 9 Live on E4 last year.

Call TV would include participation formats such as 9 Live-style shows including 'Wheel of Fortune' and 'Everything on Red' and will be heavily based on audience interaction to boost Channel 4's commercial revenues.

The channel could launch on either Freeview, Sky Digital, NTL or Telewest from the end of the year and follows a trial of German gaming channel 9 Live on digital entertainment channel E4 last year.

E4 carried the telephone-based programming called '9 Live Quiz TV' daily between 10am and 2pm from at the end of last year for two months.

Channel 4 is likely to take blocks of programming on a multiplex like it did last year with 9 Live, rather than launch a full 24-hour channel.

The channel is being run through the broadcaster's commercial arm 4 Ventures and Michael Hodgson, Channel 4 head of corporate development, is coordinating the project.

London-based production company Ostrich Media has already advertised for new staff for Channel 4, which it needs in place by August.

"We are creating an exciting new venture in Call TV and have set ourselves the goal of being the most dynamic, positive, talked-about and successful Call TV operation in the UK," the ad read.

Channel 4 refused to comment officially about the new venture saying "it is still very early days".

Channel 4 recently launched E4 on Freeview and is planning to launch factual channel More4 in October. If Call TV makes it on to Freeview, Channel 4 will have five channels on the free-to-air service.

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