C5 takes on 1,500 to tune videos
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Channel 5 is recruiting another 1,500 video re-tuners before it goes on air early next year. It means Britain's final terrestrial channel will offer up to 8,500 people jobs in the run-up to its launch in February 1997.
The move follows the Government's decision to award the channel 35 frequency to the new station, which had initially planned to employ about 7,000 re-tuners.
Channel 5's coverage has been extended by an estimated 1.8 million homes or about 4 million people. It sets up a mini jobs bonanza. Re-tuners are paid pounds 4.50 an hour but can earn lucrative bonuses if they exceed targets.
Channel 5 will also use the UHF channel 37 frequency in key areas of the country. Frequency 37 reaches an estimated 74 per cent of the population.
A Channel 5 spokeswoman said: "It is good news for local economies and the public are being very co-operative. We're recruiting hundreds of re- tuners every day.
"Channel 35 is great news because it means four million more people will be able to receive us. The extra work means we will be postponing our launch for a few weeks. No new launch date will be agreed until we meet the Independent Television Commission.
"We want to make sure that the extra re-tuning is done at the same time as the original plan to avoid confusing the public and to ensure it is done as swiftly and effectively as possible."
Although 11.4 million videos will need to be checked not all of them will need to be re-tuned. The company could spend up to pounds 120m re-tuning them.
Channel 5 is determined to put an optimistic face on the delay saying that the extra frequency will allow it to boost its expected advertising revenue.
The company had expected to take pounds 120m from rival broadcasters in its first year. The two month delay anticipated for the extra re-tuning work reduced this projection by some pounds 20m. But a spokesman for the channel said it was working to a new estimated revenue of around pounds 112m.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments