Five to launch dedicated kids' channel

Five is set to launch a dedicated children's channel following the success of its kids' strand Milkshake.

The broadcaster could roll-out its first digital channel since 2006 as early as next year, according to reports.

Carl Ratcliff, head of brand strategy and marketing at Five, said: "Our Milkshake brand is very strong, so we are in ongoing talks about a channel launch."

Five's kids' channel will be up against a number of other dedicated children's networks, inluding the BBC's CBeebies and Time Warner's Cartoon Network.

However, Five's offering is expected to target the pre-teens market to help fill the gap in its programming schedule, which came about after it took its Shake! strand off-air earlier this year.

Source: MediaTel