Five News has set up an audience “club” in a bid to boost viewing and audience participation.
The news buletin hopes the club will encouraging viewers to register their opinions on particular stories and events.
Through the Five News Club, launched on 16 February, viewers will be able to vote on topics featured in the day’s news bulletins and record their responses via a phone line.
They will also have the opportunity to win prizes.
The newsroom will be able make use of the gathered viewer information for inclusion in items on news bulletins. The channel’s news producers believe the move will give viewers an accurate reflection of public opinion on the latest headlines.
Chris Shaw, the channel’s senior programme controller of news and current affairs, said the idea behind the club was “to give the viewer a sense of ownership in Five News and the chance to participate proactively with their votes and opinions”.
He added: “We also hope a daily quiz element will attract even more viewers to Five News.”
Five News editor Gary Rogers likened the service to “an electronic speakers’ corner” that will attempt to give more ownership of the news agenda to viewers.
By Wale Azeez
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