BBC5 in development

The BBC have announced the development of a new digital channel, designed to replace BBC4 within the next few years -- which is itself expected to be renamed BBC4Kids. BBC5 will target the over-50s, in light of an independent survey that found people in this older demographic feel overlooked by the BBC.

A few original programming planned for BBC5 has already been announced: The Truth About Bruce, a documentary exposé on the entertainer Bruce Forsyth; a daily instructional series where Rolf Harris teaches celebrities how to paint; Silver Surfers, a factual series about the rise of geriatric web-users; and Parkinson's Disease, an eight-part medical series with Michael Parkinson.

This new content will be supplemented by repeats of Last Of The Summer Wine, Keeping Up Appearances, One Foot In The Grave, Through The Keyhole, and Dad's Army. There are also plans for BBC5 to premiere shows like Countryfile and The Antiques Roadshow earlier in the week, before their terrestrial debut

April Phuelle, Controller of BBC5:

"There are more over-60s in the UK than there are under-16s, but the current state of programming doesn't reflect that statistic. BBC5 hopes to redress a clear imbalance on British television."

What do you make of this news? And will you be tuning into the channel some critics are branding "wrinkly-vision"? Click here for more details from the BBC's press office.