Channel 4 announced it was launching More4 in autumn 2005 with a budget of £30m to concentrate on documentaries, news and current affairs programming. The broadcaster has said the new station will be "more down to earth and accessible" than rival digital station BBC Four.
Channel 4 has also pledged to double the number of 'Dispatches' current affairs programmes in 2005 and invest an extra £92m in education programmes over the year. In order to "strengthen cultural identity in the regions" it will ensure 30% of its programmes are from the regions, in terms of hours and spend.
ITV revealed how it was to meet its three public service duties: national and international news; regional news; and high-quality UK originated programming.
It will continue to broadcast 365 hours of news and weather and 78 hours of current affairs.
ITV has also announced it is to plough a significant amount of its 2005 budget into its daytime schedule and is planning to extend the 'Lunchtime News' from 30 minutes to an hour -- 45 minutes of national news and 15 minutes of regional.
At least 33% of programming will be produced outside the M25, accounting for 40% of investment, although this figure is set to rise to 50% following discussions with the media regulator.
In total, the network will spend over £800m on programmes featuring the best of British talent such as actors David Jason, Julie Walters and Martin Clunes and writers Mike Bullen and David Spikey in order to meet its UK high-quality programming remit.
Five is aiming to "extend its programming to cover areas neglected on other channels". It is planning to launch a new philosophy series, 'Ideas that Changed the World' alongside several programmes exploring poetry for 2005.
It will run more arts and religion programming in peaktime and is extending the length of each programme from 30 minutes to 45 minutes.
The channel will also spend an extra 20% on news next year and will screen more current affairs and undercover films, including at least four more 'McIntyre Investigates'. Overall, it is increasing its programme budget by 10% to £190m.
Comedy will be a central feature with a regular comedy slot showing original British sitcoms and sketch shows and US series.
The Ofcom review is part of the Communications Act 2003, introduced to make sure commercial broadcasters account to the public by delivering their public service requirements.
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