The channel will become 5, incorporating the online My5 platform, as well as expanding its archive online, owners Paramount UK announced.
Channel 5 is set for a major rebrand of its streaming and broadcast platforms next year, on the back of the broadcaster’s success with shows airing on Netflix. Renaming itself as 5, it will integrate the online My5 service, while also expanding its digital archive, Paramount UK has revealed.
Ben Frow, Paramount UK’s chief content officer, expressed excitement over the development: “We know from the success that so many of our Channel 5 shows have had on Netflix that there’s a huge appetite for our content in the streaming world.”
He further detailed the scope of the relaunch: “As we relaunch as 5, our streaming service will be a much bigger and broader offer than My5 with a significantly expanded range of content including new series and box sets in reality, drama, factual and kids from across the Paramount family.”
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The revamped service, which will continue to be free, promises an enriched library featuring Paramount titles across various genres, like reality, drama, factual, films, and true crime, in addition to content from MTV Entertainment Studios, CBS, and Comedy Central, Milkshake!
, Paramount+, and Nickelodeon. Sarah Rose, president of Channel 5 and UK regional lead at Paramount, pointed out the surge in My5 viewership: “We have seen record growth for My5 viewing over the last three years and, as more of our audience discover streaming, we think it’s the right time to have a much closer relationship between our linear and streaming services.”
She also emphasised the future additions of captivating content and Fast channels slated for 5 from 2025, building upon the already popular Channel 5 homegrown hits.
The broadcaster has announced that the Fast (free ad-supported streaming TV) channels will feature specially curated content. Netflix currently hosts Channel 5 shows such as the 2022 true crime drama series Maxine, and reality shows like 24 Hours In Lidl, 24 Hours In Tesco and Rich House, Poor House, which have seen a surge in viewership due to their availability on the streaming giant.
Other broadcasters have also revamped their online platforms in recent years. In 2022, ITV unveiled plans for a new on-demand platform named ITVX, replacing ITV Hub.
Channel 4 has previously rebranded its video on demand service from 4oD to All 4 before finally settling on Channel 4. The newly branded Channel 5 is set to launch across linear, streaming and digital platforms in 2025.
The channel’s rebranding is expected to be a topic of discussion during a session at the Edinburgh TV Festival on Wednesday, where Mr frow is slated to appear at the Spotlight On… Channel 5 talk.
