5
A British free-to-air general-entertainment television channel, rebranded as 5 in 2025.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
5 is a British free-to-air television channel operated by Channel 5 Broadcasting Limited, part of Paramount Skydance's UK and Australia division. The service launched on 30 March 1997 as Channel 5, becoming the United Kingdom's fifth national terrestrial television channel. Its creation expanded the country's analogue television choice beyond the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and regional services, although technical limitations meant that analogue reception was initially incomplete in several parts of the country. The channel was designed as a mainstream, commercially funded general-entertainment service. Its pre-launch identity used the phrase “Give Me 5”, a circular numeral logo and multicoloured “candy stripe” graphics. The launch-night schedule began with the Spice Girls performing a specially adapted version of “5-4-3-2-1”, followed by preview programming presented by Tim Vine and Julia Bradbury. The first commercial was for Chanel No. 5 perfume. An estimated 2.49 million people watched the opening broadcast. From 2002 to 2011 the service was branded Five. The change was intended to present the channel as a more developed entertainment brand rather than simply a numbered television outlet. During much of this period it was associated with RTL Group. On 23 July 2010, Richard Desmond's Northern & Shell acquired the broadcaster. The ownership change brought renewed investment, a return to the Channel 5 name and a strategy focused on stronger programming promotion through Desmond's publishing assets. The channel also acquired the UK rights to Big Brother and Celebrity Big Brother after Channel 4 dropped the format, helping reinforce its schedule and audience profile. Channel 5 historically combined commissioned British programmes with imported series. American acquisitions included CSI, NCIS, several Law & Order franchises, Friends, The Mentalist, Body of Proof, Once Upon a Time and Under the Dome. From the early 2010s, its programming strategy became more international, adding series from countries such as Australia, Canada and Ireland. At the same time, it increased investment in original factual, drama and popular-entertainment programming. Examples of internally commissioned or associated programmes include The Drowning, All Creatures Great and Small and Ben Fogle: New Lives in the Wild. Viacom agreed to acquire Channel 5 from Northern & Shell for £450 million in 2014, with the transaction approved later that year. Under Viacom, Channel 5 was positioned within a wider international television portfolio and planned to expand its original-programming budget. In 2016 it introduced a refreshed identity around the proposition “Spirited TV with an Emotional Heart”. Viacom's 2019 combination with CBS placed Channel 5 within ViacomCBS, subsequently renamed Paramount Global. In 2025, following the creation of Paramount Skydance Corporation, the channel remained within the group's UK and Australia operations. The service has also developed a related digital and distribution ecosystem. Its high-definition simulcast, 5 HD, launched in 2010, while the one-hour timeshift service 5 +1 launched in 2011. The catch-up platform My5 joined BritBox in 2019. On 12 March 2025, Channel 5 and My5 were brought under the shorter 5 identity, unifying linear and streaming branding. The channel is distributed through Freeview, Freesat, satellite, cable, IPTV and online television platforms, and has had limited availability outside the United Kingdom through selected operators.
History
The service that became 5 was created to provide the United Kingdom with a fifth national terrestrial television channel. Before launch, its promoters had to address unusual technical obstacles. The proposed analogue frequencies overlapped with channels used by domestic video recorders and were outside the aerial groups installed in many homes. The broadcaster therefore provided retuning advice, arranged technical visits where necessary and progressively expanded transmitter coverage. Analogue reception remained weaker in parts of Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, northern England and the south coast, where signals could interfere with transmissions from France. Satellite distribution was added in April 1997, and digital distribution later made the service available across the principal UK platforms. Channel 5 launched on Easter Sunday, 30 March 1997. Its “Give Me 5” campaign, developed with Wolff Olins and Saatchi & Saatchi, presented the channel as modern but mainstream. The launch used a circular numeral 5, colourful test-card-inspired stripes and extensive outdoor advertising. The opening programme featured the Spice Girls, followed by a preview presentation hosted by Tim Vine and Julia Bradbury. Approximately 2.49 million viewers watched the launch night. In September 2002, the channel changed its name to Five. The rebrand, overseen by a marketing programme directed by Trevor Beattie, sought to distinguish the broadcaster as a confident programming brand rather than a simple numerical service. Five operated under RTL Group ownership for much of this era. Richard Desmond's Northern & Shell acquired the channel in July 2010, and the original Channel 5 name returned to the screen in February 2011. Desmond promised additional programming and marketing investment. The broadcaster subsequently obtained the rights to Big Brother and Celebrity Big Brother, formats that had previously been shown by Channel 4. During the 2010s, the channel gradually moved beyond a heavy dependence on US imports. It continued to show popular American franchises such as CSI and NCIS while adding acquisitions from Australia, Canada and Ireland. It also expanded its original output in factual television, drama and entertainment. Viacom's purchase in 2014 brought the broadcaster into a large international networks portfolio and was followed by an announced increase in original-programming investment. A further identity refresh in 2016 expressed the channel's intended tone as “Spirited TV with an Emotional Heart”. The broadcaster became part of ViacomCBS after the 2019 merger of Viacom and CBS, later operating within Paramount Global. It received Channel of the Year recognition from the Royal Television Society and the Broadcast Awards in 2020, with the judging comments acknowledging its expansion under ViacomCBS. Distribution also broadened through 5 HD, 5 +1, Freeview, Freesat, cable, satellite, IPTV and online services. My5 joined BritBox in 2019, although later plans to combine it with Pluto TV were not pursued. On 12 March 2025, Channel 5 was renamed 5 and My5 was incorporated into the same broad brand architecture. The change shortened the on-air name while connecting the linear channel and streaming proposition. The service continues to operate as a UK-focused free-to-air general-entertainment broadcaster within Paramount Skydance's UK and Australia division.
- 2025
Rebrand to 5
[1]Channel 5 and My5 adopt the 5 identity on 12 March.
- 2019
BritBox availability
[1]Channel 5 joins the BritBox subscription-video platform.
- 2014
Viacom acquisition
[1]Viacom acquires Channel 5 for £450 million.
- 2011
Channel 5 name restored
[1]The broadcaster returns from the Five brand to the Channel 5 name.
- 2010
Northern & Shell acquisition
[1]Richard Desmond's Northern & Shell completes its acquisition of Five.
- 2002
Rebrand to Five
[1]Channel 5 adopts the Five name and a new identity intended to reposition it as a stronger programming brand.
- 1997
Channel 5 launches
[1]The United Kingdom's fifth national terrestrial television channel begins broadcasting on 30 March.
Products and positioning
A mainstream British commercial broadcaster combining accessible general entertainment, factual programming, drama, news and selected international acquisitions, with an increasingly substantial original-production slate.
Free-to-air television channel · 1997
5
The principal UK general-entertainment channel, carrying commissioned British programmes, acquired international series, factual content, drama, entertainment and news. It is distributed through terrestrial, satellite, cable, IPTV and online services.
High-definition television channel · 2010
5 HD
A high-definition simulcast of the main channel. It launched on satellite and cable in 2010 and later became available on Freeview and Freesat in 2016.
Time-shifted television channel · 2011
5 +1
A one-hour delayed repeat of the main schedule, distributed through Freesat, Freeview, Sky and cable. Certain commercial gaming content may be excluded from the timeshifted feed.
Catch-up and streaming service
My5
The broadcaster's digital catch-up proposition, later brought under the wider 5 brand in 2025. It has also been available through BritBox.
Controversies
2021
Natasha Lowe sues Channel 5 and two other companies over broadcast footage
Natasha Lowe is suing Channel 5 Broadcasting Ltd, Brinkworth Films Ltd and Direct Collection Bailiffs Ltd, alleging misuse of her private information after footage of her was broadcast on Can't Pay? We'll Take It Away!. All three companies deny wrongdoing. The article says the case has been filed at the High Court but has not yet appeared before a judge.
Marketing campaigns
- 1997Give Me 5
United Kingdom
The pre-launch campaign used the slogan “Give Me 5”, colourful test-card-inspired stripes and a circular numeral logo to present the new channel as modern and mainstream.
Outcome. Established the initial visual identity for the channel's national launch.
Brand decisions
2025
Unify Channel 5 and My5 as 5Generation changeBackground
The broadcaster sought to align its linear television and streaming identities.
Action taken
Channel 5 and My5 were rebranded under the shorter 5 identity on 12 March.
Aftermath
The service continued operating as a free-to-air UK broadcaster with a unified brand across its principal outlets.
2014
Sell Channel 5 to ViacomM&ABackground
Northern & Shell agreed to sell the broadcaster after exploring a possible disposal.
Action taken
Viacom acquired Channel 5 through its international networks division for £450 million.
Aftermath
Channel 5 became part of Viacom's international portfolio and planned to increase original-programming investment.
Acquisition price. £450 million (2014 acquisition)
2011
Restore the Channel 5 nameStrategyBackground
Following Northern & Shell's acquisition, the new owner preferred the more descriptive Channel 5 name.
Action taken
The broadcaster reversed the 2002 naming decision and returned to Channel 5 branding.
Aftermath
The restored name remained in use until the 2025 transition to 5.
2002
Adopt the Five brandStrategyBackground
The broadcaster sought to move beyond perceptions of being only a numbered television outlet and to present a more distinctive programming proposition.
Action taken
Channel 5 was renamed Five and received a new on-screen identity.
Aftermath
The Five name remained in use until the original Channel 5 name was restored in 2011.
Recent events
Blackbox Multimedia sues Channel 5 over terminated production deal[3]
Reported:
Blackbox Multimedia Limited and Ex-Mas Movie Limited issued proceedings against Channel 5 Broadcasting Limited (Paramount's UK network 5) over the purported termination of a production and licence agreement concerning a fictional drama series; Blackbox says it delivered the programme in full compliance with contractual obligations and is pursuing its full entitlement through the courts, while 5 denies owing payment and says it does not comment on ongoing legal matters.
- Unconfirmed
Natasha Lowe sues Channel 5 and two other companies over broadcast footage[2]
Reported:
Natasha Lowe is suing Channel 5 Broadcasting Ltd, Brinkworth Films Ltd and Direct Collection Bailiffs Ltd, alleging misuse of her private information after footage of her was broadcast on Can't Pay? We'll Take It Away!. All three companies deny wrongdoing. The article says the case has been filed at the High Court but has not yet appeared before a judge.
Sources3 sources
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