Five To Launch Two New Channels

Five is to launch two new channels, five US and five life, on Freeview this Autumn and has begun a major recruitment drive to staff the new channels using funding from its sole shareholder, RTL.

Five US will show the best of American television with a selection of drama, sport, films and youth programming, while five life will have a female focus as well as featuring an extension of its popular pre-school strand Milkshake!

The new channels, which Five plans to make available on satellite and cable, will also be used to launch spin-off series based on established programmes on its main channel.

Jane Lighting, chief executive of Five, said: “This is tremendously exciting and the most important development in Five’s history since our launch more than nine years ago.

“We believe these two new channels will play to our programming strengths, highlighting genres in which we have an acknowledged track record.

“A huge amount of work has gone on behind the scenes to create two propositions that genuinely increase viewer choice across the digital platforms.”

The new channels will be launched on bandwidth bought from pay-TV operator Top Up TV (see Five Joins Forces With Top Up TV).

Five: 020 7550 5555 www.five.tv