C4 has postponed screening of its drama, The Mark of Cain, while negotiations to release the British servicemen and woman held captive in Iran are ongoing. The controversial two-hour drama about servicemen in Iraq was due to transmit on Thursday, April 5, at 9pm, but has now been rescheduled for transmission on May 17. Despite the soldiers' imminent release, reported on Sky News on Wednesday afternoon, C4 has opted to delay broadcast. C4 drama commissioner Liza Marshall said: "We recognise that relatives of those held captive in Iran are concerned that the broadcast of the film at this point might jeopardise negotiations for their release. "While the channel believes this outcome is unlikely, we are anxious not to add to the extraordinary stresses and concerns they must be experiencing at this time and, in consultation with the writer and producers, we have therefore decided to delay transmission." C4 will now show a repeat of Challenger: Countdown to Disaster in the slot.
