CHANNEL 5 STREAMING SEES RECORD GROWTH AHEAD OF RELAUNCH THIS SPRING

Channel 5's free streaming service My5 has reported its fastest ever rate of growth in 2024, up a record 53% compared to 2023.

Documentary My Wife, The Abuser was the biggest single title, with new and returning dramas including All Creatures Great & Small, The Teacher, Ellis and Blindsport as well as non-scripted titles Phillip Schofield: Cast Away and Cause Of Death also amongst the best performers.

Ben Frow, Channel 5's Chief Content Officer, commented: "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.  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."

Last year Channel 5 announced it will relaunch simply as '5'. The rebrand is designed to 'unite' its linear and streaming offering. The newly launched streaming service will include FAST channels and content from the Paramount family including MTV, CBS, Comedy Central, Paramount+, Milkshake and Nickelodeon.

Channel 5 boss Ben Frow said: "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...

"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."

Sarah Rose, president of Channel 5 said: "[We've 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.” 

More details will be announced in due course.