Channel 5 is undergoing a significant transformation in March 2025, consolidating its television channel and streaming service, My5, under a single, unified brand: “5.” This strategic move aims to provide a more seamless and integrated viewing experience for audiences who increasingly switch between traditional linear television and on-demand streaming. The rebranding comes after plans to merge My5 with the free streaming app Pluto TV were abandoned. Instead, Channel 5 has opted for an enhanced and expanded version of its existing streaming platform. This revamped platform promises a wealth of new content, including box sets and a wider range of shows spanning various genres, from reality and drama to factual programming, true crime, and movies.
The content expansion will be fueled by leveraging the extensive library of Paramount, Channel 5’s parent company. This means viewers can anticipate access to shows from popular networks like Comedy Central, Nickelodeon, and MTV, along with content from other partners. This approach mirrors the current model of Pluto TV, which offers a diverse range of free content, including shows like “South Park” and “Catfish.” However, the new “5” platform will go beyond simply adding on-demand content. It will also introduce new streamed TV channels, potentially themed around specific shows, similar to offerings on other streaming platforms. This multifaceted approach aims to cater to a broader audience and solidify “5” as a comprehensive entertainment destination.
The impetus for this transformation stems from the remarkable growth experienced by My5 in 2024. The platform saw its fastest-ever growth rate, with the documentary “My Wife, My Abuser” topping the charts as the most-watched single title. Original dramas like “All Creatures Great and Small,” “Blindspot,” “The Teacher,” and “Ellis” also contributed significantly to the platform’s success. This surge in viewership underscores the increasing demand for accessible, high-quality streaming content, and Channel 5 is positioning itself to capitalize on this trend. The unified “5” brand aims to provide a more streamlined and user-friendly experience, allowing viewers to effortlessly navigate between live TV and on-demand content.
Ben Frow, Channel 5’s Chief Content Officer, highlighted the significance of this relaunch, emphasizing the growing trend of viewers seamlessly switching between streaming and linear TV. The combined “5” brand, with its expanded programming, is designed to cater to this evolving viewing behavior. In addition to the content expansion and brand unification, the new “5” platform will feature a redesigned interface. This refreshed interface is intended to enhance user experience by making it easier for viewers to discover and access the content they desire. The combination of a larger content library, a more intuitive interface, and the unified brand identity aims to position “5” as a more competitive player in the increasingly crowded streaming landscape.
Analysis by Jamie Harris, Assistant Technology and Science Editor at The Sun, suggests that the free streaming service Pluto TV, also owned by Paramount, offers clues to the future direction of the new “5” app. Given Paramount’s extensive portfolio of brands and their associated content libraries, there is a wealth of material available for exploitation. While My5 already incorporates some shows like “Geordie Shore,” many other popular titles from networks like MTV and Comedy Central, such as “Catfish,” “16 and Pregnant,” and “South Park,” are currently absent. This suggests the potential for a significant expansion of reality TV, animation, and other genres on the new “5” platform. Furthermore, Paramount’s vast film library could also contribute to the platform’s offerings, although it’s likely that the majority of premium movie titles will remain exclusive to the paid Paramount+ service.
In essence, the rebranding and relaunch of Channel 5 and My5 as a unified “5” platform represent a strategic move to adapt to the evolving media landscape. By leveraging the resources of its parent company, Paramount, Channel 5 is poised to offer a significantly enhanced streaming experience with a more diverse content library, improved user interface, and a streamlined brand identity. This transformation aims to cater to the growing demand for seamless access to both live and on-demand content, ultimately positioning “5” as a more compelling and competitive force in the streaming arena. The integration of content from various Paramount brands, coupled with the potential inclusion of films and themed streaming channels, suggests a move towards a more comprehensive and diverse entertainment offering. This strategic shift will likely be closely watched by competitors and industry analysts alike as it represents a significant evolution in Channel 5’s approach to content delivery and audience engagement.
