Digital TV News

Channel 5+1 to launch in December

Monday 7 November, 2011

By Anthony Hill

Brand new “timeshift” TV channel will arrive on digital and satellite services next month

Channel 5 has announced the launch of a catch-up station, to mirror the likes of Channel 4 Plus One and Dave Ja Vu, on satellite and digital terrestrial television (DTT) platforms.

Available to Freeview, Freesat and Sky customers from early December, the new Channel 5+1 service will show Channel 5 programmes exactly one hour after they air on the standard terrestrial channel.

It will provide viewers with a second chance to catch popular Channel 5 shows, such as Big Brother, CSI, The Gadget Show, Hotel Inspector and Paul Merton’s Adventures .

Jeff Ford, director of programming at Channel 5, said: “We are extremely proud of where Channel 5 currently sits in terms of its viewers, its commercial opportunities and the spread of its content across a variety of platforms.

“Our exciting portfolio of channels has huge appeal with audiences and the addition of Channel 5+1 on DTT and satellite will no doubt be welcomed by viewers wanting another means to keep up with their favourite shows.”

Channel 5 has recently seen a boost in ratings thanks to a range of new commissions and programmes acquired from other networks - including reality series Big Brother, which it brought back to British TV screens as part of a £200million deal this year.

The show had previously been dropped from Channel 4’s line-up after the end of its 11th series. Viewing figures had dwindled considerably since the programme’s initial UK launch in 2000.