Channel 5 have announced My5, a free-to-air TV channel set to go live in early August, broadcasting the best content from the breadth of the Channel 5 family.
The My5 channel will replace Channel 5+24, taking content from Channel 5’s hugely popular video-on-demand service of the same name, as well as broadcasting programming from across the Channel 5 portfolio, which includes Spike, 5STAR and 5USA, as well as Channel 5.
The channel will be fast reacting, ensuring the channel is always topical and relevant. Featuring the most popular recent programmes across all platforms, catch up TV, box sets, themed schedules tying into major programme launches or events and programming curated around talent or themes, the channel will enable the discovery of exciting and popular content across the portfolio.
The introduction of the My5 channel builds on the success of Channel 5’s on-demand service – the most widely distributed commercial broadcaster video-on-demand service in the UK – which has enjoyed growth of nearly 50%* so far this year and seen over 1m people register to use the service. The schedule will be synchronised with – and reflective of – the My5 on demand service.
James Tatam, Director of Digital Media & Commercial Development, Channel 5 said: “Taking My5 into the linear space is an exciting development following the success of our video-on-demand service, which has enjoyed rapid growth since rebranding in February. Through a mix of sharp and responsive scheduling, curated and thematic content, and data from our TV channels, on-demand platform and social media, viewers can now discover the most popular content on My5 via both TV and on-demand and choose how they want to watch.”
The My5 channel will be available free-to-air on a number of platforms, including Freeview, Freesat, Sky TV, Virgin Media, YouView, BT and TalkTalk with further platforms to be confirmed.