[Media Boy UK]

Broadcast: Good News, Bad News for Channel 5.

It is understood the Viacom/Channel 5 deal will be finalised by 20 September, giving the US media giant – which operates MTV, Comedy Central and Nickelodeon – full control of the public service broadcaster.

However, existing MTV commissions will not end up on C5 once the deal is closed. Viacom-operated channels have exclusivity agreements in place with pay-TV broadcaster Sky over original content, which means shows such as Ex On The Beach and Geordie Shore are unlikely to move to the free-to-air network in the near future.

Media Boy HQ also thinks with Arqiva offering new capacity to launch new TV services via Freeview we think one of the slots will come from VIVA with VIVA moving to Channel 5 + 24 slot on Freeview from mid-November 2014.