Huge UK broadcaster reveals streaming shake-up coming in weeks with extra free shows, movies and bonus channels
CHANNEL 5 has revealed details about a major overhaul coming very soon to its streaming service.
The broadcaster is preparing to bring the TV channel and its digital offering under one brand this year.
From March, both Channel 5 and My5 will simply be known as 5.
The firm has shared an update on new content coming to 5 streaming service when the brand alignment takes effect.
It comes after plans to merge the platform with free app Pluto TV were scrapped.
Instead, the new 5 app will have more TV boxsets and shows, including reality, drama, factual, true crime and movies.
These will come from 5 owner Paramount‘s other brands, which include Comedy Central, Nickelodeon and MTV, as well as other content partners.
Pluto TV already does this, which may provide a hint of what’s to come, with the likes of South Park and Catfish available to watch there for free.
But the relaunch of 5 will also see new streamed TV channels too.
These may be themed around specific shows, as seen on other apps.
The move comes as the current My5 service grew at its fastest ever rate in 2024.
Documentary My Wife, My Abuser was the number one most watched single title.
And original dramas including All Creatures Great and Small, Blindspot, The Teacher and Ellis boosted the platform too.
“2024 was a huge year for My5 as our viewers really discovered the depth of content, particularly our Channel 5 dramas, that we have on the service,” said Channel 5’s Chief Content Officer, Ben Frow.
“We know that audiences increasingly want to switch seamlessly between streaming and linear TV and that’s why in March we are relaunching both our services under the combined brand of 5 with a significantly greater range of programming on offer.”
The new 5 will also feature a fresh interface to help viewers find shows more easily.
What to expect from the new 5 streaming service
Analysis by Jamie Harris, Assistant Technology and Science Editor at The Sun
Channel 5 is owned by US media giant Paramount, which also owns free streaming service Pluto TV.
And I believe Pluto TV offers some hints of what we can expect from the new 5 app.
Given Paramount’s extensive family of brands, there’s a lot of good quality archive content to use.
My5 already does this with some shows like Geordie Shore but not others like Catfish, 16 and Pregnant, South Park and many more.
So I’m sure we can expect more of this.
And let’s not forget Paramount’s extensive back catalogue of movies, some of which may well make an appearance – though the lion’s share will no doubt remain paid on Paramount+.