Freeview HD customers to access a raft of original shows in high definition across factual, history, entertainment, drama, children and comedy genres without subscription
Channel 5, the commercial public service broadcaster and Freeview today announce the launch of Channel 5 in high definition on Freeview, the UK’s biggest TV service.
From Wednesday 4th May, Channel 5, the UK’s third largest commercial network attracting 44m viewers every month and producing over 1,000 hours of original content in peak time every year, will be available in subscription free high definition on LCN 105 to Freeview HD viewers. The channel will also continue to be available in standard definition on LCN 5.
Channel 5 will also be available in high definition on Freesat, the subscription free satellite TV platform, from Wednesday 4th March.
Channel 5 is the home of a raft of distinctive original commissions and US acquisitions across a range of genres and since being acquired by Viacom International Media Networks in 2014, has enjoyed an increased investment in programming. Freeview HD customers can look forward to high quality factual series ranging from The Yorkshire Vet to GPs: Behind Closed Doors; entertainment series Up Late With Rylan, forthcoming comedy Borderline, high quality drama series Suspects, history programmes Henry VIII and his Six Wives and natural history programming including Ben Fogle: The Great African Migration. These homegrown shows complement high quality, talked about US drama, with The X-Files and Gotham: Rise of the Villans having drawn large audiences to the channel already in 2016. Channel 5 also offers an award-winning children’s TV strand Milkshake! and an accessible, high quality, news service 5 News, airing daily on the channel.
Paul Dunthorne, Chief Operating Officer for Channel 5 said: “Channel 5 is on an exciting journey as we evolve our content and broaden the appeal of our channel to audiences through increased investment in new genres of programming. We’re delighted that Freeview HD viewers will have the opportunity to enjoy the raft of quality programming in high definition.”
Freeview Managing director Guy North said: “Freeview aims to provide the best in British TV to audiences free from subscription, and Channel 5 HD is a fantastic addition to our high definition line-up. Our HD offering continues to grow with the biggest channels and I’m sure Channel 5 HD will prove hugely popular with viewers.”
Channel 5’s portfolio of channels, 5STAR, 5USA and Spike are also available on the Freeview platform.
Channel 5 HD’s launch on Freeview means that viewers with Freeview HD equipment can now easily access the UK’s biggest TV channels in high definition with BBC One, BBC Two, ITV, Channel 4 and now Channel 5 in HD on channels 101 to 105.
Channel 5 HD will also be available on the Freesat, YouView, BT and TalkTalk platforms, in addition to its existing position on the Sky and Virgin Media platforms.