Channel 4's main channel budget will exceed the half-billion mark for the first time with £505m invested on programmes compared to £490m in 2005.
More4, which launched in November, has been handed its first full-year programme budget of £33m to make original drama and documentaries for an adult-skewed audience, while E4 has been given an additional £7m investment from last year to hit a budget of £67m.
In addition, the budget for Channel 4's New Media division will rise £5m to a record £21m. Overall the broadcaster's programme budget is to top £625m in 2006.
Andy Duncan, Channel 4 chief executive, said the channel was able to raise editorial spend after a successful 2005.
"It's our viewers and users who enjoy the fruits of our success, not corporate shareholders," he said.
With more money in the pot, Channel 4 is planning to increase its public service programmes.
"More money in budgets means more public service programmes like like 'Jamie's School Dinners', 'Green Wing' and 'A Very Social Secretary', more bespoke content and dedicated services on new media platforms and, hopefully, a strong share of ratings and revenue again this year," Duncan said.
The news comes as Channel 4 is expecting to finish 2005 with a 9.7% share of total TV viewing, putting it on a par with its performance in 2004.
The channel enjoyed its highest ever share of peak-time audiences in 2005, with a 10% share compared to a previous high of 9.7% achieved in 2004 and 2002.
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