Home / Arts and Entertainment / UK Network 5 Defies Trends with New Drama Channel
UK Network 5 Defies Trends with New Drama Channel
24 Sep
Summary
- A new dedicated drama channel, 5Drama, is launching October 21.
- It will feature a mix of British originals, American imports, and Australian series.
- This launch occurs as other broadcasters scale back linear operations.
Network 5 in the UK is introducing a new dedicated drama channel, 5Drama, set to launch on October 21. This initiative marks a significant move against the prevailing trend of diminishing linear television, as the channel replaces the existing 5Select.
The programming lineup for 5Drama will feature a compelling mix of content. British dramas, including the acclaimed 'All Creatures Great and Small' reboot, are slated for peak evening slots. Weekday afternoons will be reserved for popular American series such as 'Gilmore Girls', 'Columbo', and 'A Million Little Things', alongside the Australian soap 'Home and Away' starting from its first episode.
This expansion by Paramount UK includes a roster of channels such as 5, 5Action, 5Star, and 5USA. Content chief Ben Frow has championed linear broadcasting, a strategy that has seen network 5 increase its linear share and outperform rivals BBC Two and Channel 4 in overnight ratings.
In addition to the new channel, network 5 is also expanding its digital presence with a new YouTube channel dedicated to documentaries. This follows recent launches of YouTube channels for sports, news, and children's content.
