Opie: Five's factual progs 'better than ITV's'

In her controller session at MGEITF today, Five's managing director of content, Lisa Opie, was 'talking up' the channel's content for autumn, much of which consists of fact ent shows.

Opie emphasised this genre as one of the channel's strengths, and that its own documentary strands were "better than ITV's."

Repeating her 2007 mantra for what she wants Five to be - "bold, populist and personal" - she recognised the need to build 'homegrown' UK hits, rather than just rely on viewers from US shows like CSI to build its share.

Opie said she was hoping to spend less on acquisitions over the next two years, and "much more" on commissions, adding that in 12 months she hopes to have a long-running comissioned drama on Five.

More attention will also be paid by Five to the scheduling of shows, giving viewers strands and slots that they could recognise and come back to. "We need consistency around the schedule," Opie said.

She also hinted that the scheduling plan for newly acquired Neighbours for 2008 had already been decided, and would be revealed later this year. Also that the download catch-up service on Five and its website Five.tv, would be extended over the next six months.

"It's an exciting time for Five, and [we have] an important point of difference to make with our competitors," Opie said. "People love to beat up on Five. Yes, we have been a little timid in the past, but we won't be in the future."