Mr Desmond plans to develop the channel by adding more reality and celebrity shows. He is understood to have beaten off last-minute competition from Channel 4 to buy Five from its current owners RTL Group.
The deal could result in the reality TV show Big Brother, currently in its last series on Channel 4, being resurrected on Five.
Mr Desmond is understood to have had discussions with Endemol the owners of Big Brother about resurrecting the programme. By using his newspapers and magazines to cross sell the content and personalities involved in such reality TV shows Mr Desmond hopes to be able to revitalise the reality TV genre.
Just seen him on Channel 5. Didn't give much away. Said he was in talks with the Big Brother people. Also said he was in talks with the Coronation Street people
Just seen him on Channel 5. Didn't give much away. Said he was in talks with the Big Brother people. Also said he was in talks with the Coronation Street people