Paramount UK Chief Ben Frow Says Channel 5 Won't Be Sold After Skydance Merger
In his first public comments since 5's parent company Paramount completed an $8B merger with David Ellison-led Skydance, Frow said the British public broadcaster was part of the company's future.
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Asked if 5 will be sold, Paramount's UK chief content officer told the Edinburgh TV Festival: 'No. I had a conversation with the new boss, who said he was very keen on Channel 5. We can do a lot more for the business. He speaks my kind of language.'
Frow has transformed 5 into a thriving network, known for shows including All Creatures Great and Small, during his 13-year tenure as head of content.
Channel 5's future has been a source of speculation, with a source telling Deadline last month that the mood among the network's staffers is 'anxious' as they await more news about their future. 'There's so much nervousness because there's so much change,' added the ex-employee.
Frow's comments in Edinburgh could soothe some of these concerns, with the content chief seemingly being reassured by his conversation with his new bosses.
Frow was unflinchingly honest about Channel 5's fortunes, saying it had a difficult start to the year in terms of ratings as the network attempted to wrestle back viewers from the streamers. 'It's a tough time for linear television,' he said.
He also appeared to take a shot at his Channel 4 counterpart, Ian Katz. Asked about Katz lamenting the lack of originality in British TV, Frow said: 'If you look at the Channel 4 schedule, it's completely different to how it was seven years ago under Jay Hunt, so he's a genius.'
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