Hubbry Logo
logo
5Star avatar
5Star
Community hub

5Star

logo
0 subscribers
Read side by side
5Star
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

5Star (stylized as 5STAR) is a British free-to-air television channel owned by Channel 5 Broadcasting Limited,[1] a wholly owned subsidiary of Paramount Skydance Corporation, which is grouped under Paramount Networks UK & Australia division. It originally launched as the female-orientated Five Life on 15 October 2006, and was relaunched as Fiver on 28 April 2008 with a revised version of the same concept. The channel was later re-branded as 5* on 7 March 2011, and later, it was re-branded as its current name on 11 February 2016. The network focuses on documentaries, comedy and drama, with original content such as Rich Kids Go Skint and Young, Dumb & Banged Up in the Sun, along with some American and Australian imports.[2]

Key Information

History

[edit]

2006-08: Five Life

[edit]
A collage of excerpt images from 5STAR's launch as Five Life c. October 2006.

Five Life was intended to be a female-oriented channel emphasising lifestyle programming.[3] Channel 5 announced that programming on launch would include The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Love My Way, Windfall, Angela's Eyes, and a weekday double-bill of the chat show Trisha Goddard. On 16 October 2006, a day following the channel's launch, Australian soap opera Home and Away began airing from episode 4212 (Season 19, Episode 112). New episodes were shown Monday to Friday in a 'First Look' screening with episodes following the Channel 5 airing. Repeats of popular female-skewing dramas, both nationally and internationally produced, were soon acquired. A time-shift version was launched following the channel's launch in summer 2007.[4]

2008-11: Fiver

[edit]

On 28 April 2008, Five Life was relaunched as Fiver, with a new branding strategy aimed at a younger audience. The rebranding introduced a "younger, faster, louder" concept to compete with Sky Living. The channel adopted a unique on-air presentation featuring a "cursor" motif, which typed out words related to programs and current events.[5]

2011–16: 5Star

[edit]

In 2011, the channel was re-launched as 5Star (stylized as 5★ or 5*, pronounced "Five Star"). The new brand focused on a "fun-loving" concept, with initial acquisitions including $#*! My Dad Says, Better with You and Parenthood.[6] On 11 April 2011, 5Star reduced its broadcast hours to 13:00 to 00:00, replacing the hours withdrawn with more teleshopping.[citation needed] When some of these new programmes failed to impact the channel's ratings, several were dropped and replaced by new locally-produced and acquired programming. These included the American series 8 Simple Rules, 10 Things I Hate About You, Alphas and The Lying Game.[7]

In 2012, in consort with C5's acquisition of the series, 5Star began airing the Big Brother companion show Big Brother: Live from the House, which aired 60 minutes of live feed following every eviction show. In 2013, after Live from the House set ratings records for the channel, the programme was expanded to two hours nightly.[8] However, ratings were at a share below that of the channel's average, with just 70,000 watching the first live feeds.[9] Subsequently, the live feeds were shut down and the spin-off show last aired in June 2013.[10] Also in 2013, American Idol moved to 5Star from ITV2.[11] Continuing the channel's venture into reality based programming, Tallafornia was acquired from Ireland's TV3 and this was soon joined by Bar Rescue, World's Worst Tenants and Top 20 Funniest in 2014.[12]

The 5Star schedule included a variety of programming, including the aforementioned reality series, as well as the first-run rights to Helix, the second-run rights to American series Falling Skies, Under the Dome and The Walking Dead, and Australian soap operas Home & Away and Neighbours. Popular documentary series shared with C5 air throughout the daytime and primetime hours, such as The Gadget Show.

The time-shift version of the channel was shut down on 3 February 2014 to make way for Channel 5 +24.[13] The channel returned later, launching on Freesat on 16 September 2014 and Sky in the UK and Ireland on 4 November 2014, replacing BET +1 on the platform. The addition of the channel in Ireland was an error; thus, it was removed on 6 November 2014.

On 11 February 2016, as part of an overall re-branding of Channel 5's networks following their acquisition by Viacom, the channel was re-branded as 5Star.[14]

2016 to date: 5Star

[edit]

5Star was initially positioned as a younger skewing channel (like E4). However, 5Star dropped many of its drama and comedy programs from the schedules and replaced them with blocks of reality TV programming in September 2021. These included medical shows such as Skin A&E, 999: Critical Condition and Don't Tell The Doctor[15] and nights devoted to crime and cleaning showing on other days.

The channel still had several drama shows listed in its schedules for 2021 with imports such as Departure[16] and Wentworth: The Final Sentence[17] broadcast after the watershed and its Australian soaps still broadcast in an hour block from 6 pm (though the 3 pm repeat has been replaced by episodes of Police Interceptors from Paramount Network). 5Star also picked up the free-to-air television rights of streaming series The Act (from StarzPlay via Amazon) which increased its viewing figures on 5Star with each episode broadcast,[18][19] and Dirty John (also available on Netflix).[20]

Australian soap opera Home and Away has episodes debuting on the channel before being repeated on Channel 5, with other channel premieres including episodes of Killer at the Crime Scene[21] and The Nightmare Neighbour Next Door, as well as several romcom films shown at lunchtime. 5Star usually schedules feature films each Friday, Saturday, and Sunday night, with the whole Saturday daytime schedule traditionally given to family films. However, the quality of some of the movies broadcast by 5Star has been picked up by Kermode and Mayo's Film Review on BBC Radio 5 Live, who have nominated many titles due to be broadcast on the channel, for their 'TV Movie So Bad it's Bad' feature on the show.[22]

On 20 October 2021, their scheduled Love at Lunchtime TV movie premiere[23][24] slot[25][26] was discontinued and replaced by back-to-back repeats of various emergency services documentaries with episodes 6[27] and 7[27] of Traffic Cops[28] replacing the already announced premiere of Love's Last Resort on that date.

Programmes debuting new episodes on the channel in November 2021 included Filthy House SOS[29][30][31] and Oxford Street 24/7,[32][33][34] while Nick Knowles' Better Homes[35] is a new show from the presenter of Channel 5's Big House Clearout[36] and Our Secret World was a new commission produced by Viacom Studios UK,[37] featuring Babestation stars like Atlanta Moreno and Jess West enjoying their leisure time in a reality TV format. New-to-Freeview episodes of drama series The Act[38][39] (from American streaming service Hulu), are debuting weekly on 5Star at 10 pm on a Thursday night before being repeated late night on 5Select a few days later.[40]

From 8 November 2021, after Ofcom approved an hour-long 5 News at 5 on the main channel to fit in Eggheads[41] at 6.30 pm,[42][43][44] the early evening repeat of Home and Away[45] moved to 5Star, with the Australian soap now being broadcast in an hour-long slot from 6pm, with the repeat scheduled back-to-back with the 'first look' episode (though the soap went on its regular winter break on Monday 22 November, with the slot being used for repeats of Shoplifters & Scammers: At War with the Law and family films, until a new episode of the soap was broadcast on New Year's Eve).[46][47][48]

From 4 December 2021 to 7 November 2022, 5Star began repeating season 11 of Judge Judy in the mornings, at the same time that season 17 was seen on CBS Reality and, due to a simulcast agreement, nine Local TV channels in the UK.[49][50][51] A month later, on 4 January 2022,[52] more retro programming from the archives of ViacomCBS appeared on the network, when Zalman King's Red Shoe Diaries (originally broadcast on the American Showtime channel in 1992 and then on Channel 5) started a repeat run in the United Kingdom on 5Star.

Availability

[edit]

Cable

[edit]

IPTV

[edit]

Online

[edit]

Satellite

[edit]
  • Freesat UK: Channel 131 (SD) and Channel 141 (+1)
  • Sky UK: Channel 128 (SD) and Channel 228 (+1)

Terrestrial

[edit]

Ratings

[edit]

The launch of Five Life was at the time ranked as the worst received multichannel launch for a terrestrial broadcaster, only managing to achieve a primetime share of 0.21%.[53] Following the channel's relaunch as Fiver in 2008, the all-day share for the channel has been between 0.5 and 0.6%. The highest-rated series airing on the channel are Home and Away, Neighbours, and the weeknight primetime movie showings. The highest rating for the channel is held by Big Brother: Live from the House, when it received just over one million viewers and an audience share of over five percent in 2013.

Current programming: 5Star

[edit]

First–run

[edit]
  • The Act (2021)
  • Adults Only (2020–present)[54][55] (also repeated on Channel 5 and MTV[56] in 2021, and known under the title XXXmas over the festive period)[57][58]
  • Ambulance: Code Red (2020–present)[59]
  • Bargain Brits on Benefits (2022–present)[60][61]
  • Cold Case Killers (2021–present)[62][63]
  • Dirty John (2021)
  • Don't Tell The Doctor (2017–present)
  • Drag Kids (also known as Kids in Drag: We're Fabulous!) (2019–present)
  • Entertainment News (2020–present)
  • Extreme Hair Wars (2018–present)
  • Filthy House SOS
  • Get Your Tatts Out: Kavos Ink (2017–present)
  • Greatest Ever Movie Blunders (2018–present) (this series was re-edited as a new one-off show for broadcast on Channel 5 in November 2021)[64][65]
  • Greatest Ever TV Blunders (2018–present)
  • Home and Away (16 October 2006 – present) (first look)
  • Impact Wrestling (2019–present)
  • Inside The Mind... (2021) (a celebrity documentary with Dr Bob Johnson)[66][67][68]
  • It's Your Fault I'm Fat (2019–present)
  • Killer at the Crime Scene (2021–present)[69][70]
  • Nick Knowles' Better Home (2021)
  • Old School For Lazy Kids (2019–present)
  • Our Secret World (2021)[71]
  • Oxford Street 24/7 (2021) (a previous series was broadcast first on Channel 5)
  • Plastic Surgery Knifemares (2019)[72]
  • Prison Life (2018–present)
  • Rich Kids Go Homeless (2019–present)
  • Rich Kids Go Skint (2018–present)
  • Rich Kids, Skint Holiday (2019–present)
  • Secret Admirer (2018–present)
  • Sex Pod (2016–present)
  • The Shocking Truth About Food (2019–present)
  • Skin A&E (2021–present)[73]
  • Top 20 Funniest (2014–present)
  • Tower Block Kids (2018–present)
  • Undercover Twins (2019)
  • When Kids Kill (2016–present)
  • When Teens Kill (2018–present)
  • World's Wildest Holidays (2018–present)
  • Young, Dumb & Banged Up in the Sun (2018–present)

Second–run

[edit]
  • 10 Years Younger in 10 Days (2021, Channel 5 series only)[74][75][76]
  • Absentia
  • Bargain-Loving Brits in the Sun
  • Britain's Parking Hell (2018–present)[77][78][79]
  • Casualty 24/7: Every Second Counts[80]
  • Fights, Camera, Action![81] (previously shown on Paramount Network)
  • The Following
  • Friends (2023–present)
  • Departure (2021)
  • Judge Judy (episodes from 2006 to 2007, that were previously shown on various CBS branded channels)
  • Police Interceptors
  • Quantico
  • Red Shoe Diaries (episodes from 1992, that were previously shown on Channel 5)[82]
  • Suits (season 8 in 2022)[83]
  • Supermarket Wars
  • The Town the Gypsies Took Over: Appleby Horse Fair (repeated on 5Star on 3 January 2022)[84][75]
  • Wentworth Prison (2016–2021) (this drama debuted in the UK as a Channel 5 show before becoming an exclusive-to-5Star title during its fourth season)
  • The World's Most Expensive Hotels

Former programming: 5Star

[edit]

First–run

[edit]
  • 100% Hotter (2016–)
  • Access (2011–2020) (replaced by Entertainment News)
  • Airport 24/7: Thailand (2019–present) (moved to Paramount Network)
  • Baby Ballroom (2017–)
  • Baby Faced Mums (2016–)
  • Badass Brides (2017–)
  • Bad Teen to Ballroom Queen (2018–)
  • Britain's Naughtiest Nursery (2019–)
  • Celebrity Ghost Hunt (2017–)
  • Celeb Road Trip: Lost in Transylvania (2018–)
  • Celebs on the Farm (2018–present) (moved to MTV)
  • Celebs on the Ranch (2019–)
  • Channel Zero (2016–)
  • Clink (2019–)
  • Dirty Tricks (2019–)
  • Sing It On (2016–)
  • Strip Date (2016–)

Second–run

[edit]

Former programming: Fiver and 5*

[edit]

Former logos

[edit]
  • Five Life logo (15 October 2006 – 27 April 2008)
    Five Life logo
    (15 October 2006 – 27 April 2008)
  • First Fiver logo (28 April – 6 October 2008)
    First Fiver logo
    (28 April – 6 October 2008)
  • Final Fiver logo (7 October 2008 – 7 March 2011)
    Final Fiver logo
    (7 October 2008 – 7 March 2011)
  • 5* logo (7 March 2011 – 11 February 2016)
    5* logo
    (7 March 2011 – 11 February 2016)
  • 5Star logo (11 February 2016 – 1 September 2019)
    5Star logo
    (11 February 2016 – 1 September 2019)

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

5Star

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
5Star (stylized as 5STAR) is a British free-to-air television channel owned by Channel 5 Broadcasting Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Paramount Global.[1] Launched on 15 October 2006 as Five Life, it targets young adults with entertainment programming including issue-driven documentaries, factual entertainment, inclusive comedy, and original drama.[2][3]

History

2006–2008: Launch as Five Life

Five Life launched on 15 October 2006 as a companion digital channel to Channel 5, aiming to provide content tailored to a female audience through a focus on lifestyle, drama, and factual programming.[4][5] The channel was operated by Channel 5 Broadcasting Limited, fully owned by the RTL Group following its acquisition of the remaining minority stake from United Business Media earlier that year.[6][5] The initial programming slate emphasized health, beauty, family, and property-related shows to appeal to women, featuring chat programs like Trisha Goddard and The Ellen DeGeneres Show in afternoon slots, property reality series such as The Hotel Inspector, and family-oriented factual content including spin-offs like Make Me a Supermodel Extra.[4] Additional highlights included the Australian soap Home and Away aired a day ahead of its main Channel 5 broadcast, alongside morning children's programming under the Milkshake! banner and evening documentaries on topics like extreme behaviors.[4][7] Key operational events included its integration into Channel 5's digital multiplex, making it available free-to-air on Freeview (channel 36), Sky Digital (channel 208), and cable platforms without requiring additional subscriptions.[7][8] Early audience targeting strategies involved scheduling clusters of female-skewed content, such as lifestyle and escapism-focused shows from 2pm to 8pm weekdays, to build habitual viewing among women seeking relatable, uplifting programming amid a competitive digital landscape.[4][8] Under RTL Group's oversight, the launch was supported by substantial investment to expand Channel 5's portfolio, though the channel encountered early challenges with underwhelming viewership, attracting an average of just 36,000 viewers and a 0.2% multichannel share on its debut evening despite promotional efforts.[5][9] These low ratings contributed to a rebrand to Fiver in 2008 as part of efforts to broaden its appeal.[9]

2008–2011: Rebrand to Fiver

In April 2008, Channel 5 announced the rebranding of its digital channel Five Life to Fiver, aiming to broaden its appeal beyond the original female-focused niche to a wider audience aged 16 to 45 with an emphasis on entertainment programming.[10] The rebrand was launched on 28 April 2008, dropping the "Life" suffix to position the channel as a more dynamic, youth-oriented destination for reality television, dramas, and lifestyle content.[11] This shift marked the channel's first major pivot away from its initial 2006 launch as a women-centric service, seeking to capture a larger share of younger viewers through edgier, pop culture-infused scheduling.[12] Programming under the Fiver banner diversified significantly, incorporating high-profile imports and originals to align with the entertainment focus. Key additions included reality series such as Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew, featuring celebrities like Brigitte Nielsen, and Generation Sex, a six-part documentary exploring modern relationships with contributors including Calum Best and Rebecca Loos.[11] Dramas like the second season of Dirt starring Courteney Cox and the full run of Sex and the City were acquired to draw in youth demographics, alongside lifestyle specials such as Glamour's Best Dressed List 2008 hosted by Peaches Geldof and Daisy Lowe.[11] Australian soaps Home and Away and Neighbours continued from the previous schedule, providing continuity, while new acquisitions like Intervention and Madventures further emphasized reality and adventure formats to refresh the lineup.[13] The rebrand contributed to measurable growth in viewership, with Fiver's audience share improving from the low figures of Five Life's 2006 launch—around 0.1–0.2% for early programs—to an average of approximately 0.5% by 2010.[9][14] This uptick reflected the success of the broader entertainment strategy in attracting younger viewers, though the channel remained a smaller player in the multichannel landscape. Operationally, the rebrand introduced revised idents and a comprehensive marketing push to embody a casual, fun identity tied to the "fiver" name. New on-air idents, developed as part of a refreshed visual style, drew references to popular culture and adapted to seasonal or topical events for a playful tone.[12] Off-air promotion was handled by agency VCCP, with media buying by Vizeum, focusing on the channel's "younger, sexier, and smarter" programming through trailers highlighting shows like Celebrity Rehab and Dirt.[15] This campaign emphasized accessibility and entertainment value, helping to reposition Fiver as an approachable brand for its target demographic.[13]

2011–2016: Era of 5*

On 7 March 2011, the digital sister channel to Channel 5, previously known as Fiver, underwent a rebrand to 5*, adopting an asterisk to evoke a "five star" premium entertainment identity targeted at viewers aged 16–34.[16] This change aligned with the broader Channel 5 portfolio refresh, including the main channel's return to its original name, aiming to create a cohesive, modern brand family in a competitive digital landscape.[17] Building briefly on Fiver's foundational entertainment focus, the rebrand emphasized fun, aspirational content to appeal to younger demographics seeking optimistic and relevant programming mixes of drama, comedy, and lifestyle elements.[18] The era marked a strategic pivot toward celebrity-driven content and peak reality programming under RTL Group ownership, with 5* serving as a key outlet for companion shows and spin-offs. A flagship hit was Big Brother's Bit on the Side (2011–2013), a nightly discussion program hosted by figures like Emma Willis and Rylan Clark-Neal, featuring celebrity guests, evicted housemate interviews, and live debates tied to the main Big Brother series on Channel 5.[19] The show achieved peak audiences of 1.2 million viewers during its 2013 run, capturing a significant share among 16–34s and solidifying 5*'s role in reality TV escalation.[20] This format exemplified the channel's emphasis on interactive, gossip-fueled content that extended the franchise's appeal beyond the primary broadcast. Throughout 2011–2016, 5* intensified its lineup with celebrity interviews, fashion-oriented segments, and reality formats to drive engagement among young adults, including shows blending lifestyle advice with star power. Key events included 2013 schedule adjustments that integrated more U.S. imports and original reality commissions, enhancing primetime slots for aspirational viewing.[21] The channel also deepened ties with Channel 5's digital multiplex on platforms like Freeview, enabling seamless cross-promotion and expanded reach for shared content ecosystems.[22]

2016–present: Rebrand to 5Star and ongoing developments

On 11 February 2016, the channel formerly known as 5* underwent a rebranding to 5Star, eliminating the asterisk symbol to enhance clarity and readability as part of a broader refresh across the Channel 5 network following its acquisition by Viacom in 2014.[23] This update introduced a modernized visual identity aimed at appealing to a younger demographic through vibrant, dynamic presentation that emphasized entertainment programming including documentaries, comedy, and drama.[24] The rebrand sought to better position 5Star within the evolving UK television landscape, aligning it more distinctly with the parent channel's strategy to diversify its portfolio and attract advertisers by highlighting varied content identities.[25] In the years following the rebrand, 5Star pivoted toward factual entertainment, building on earlier reality elements from its 5* era to emphasize accessible, engaging formats that resonated with viewers seeking relatable narratives. By 2021, amid the expansion of the Channel 5 family under ViacomCBS (later Paramount Global), the channel intensified its focus on reality television and true crime series, incorporating programs that explored social dynamics and investigative storytelling to broaden its audience reach.[26] This shift reflected broader industry trends toward unscripted content, allowing 5Star to carve out a niche in lifestyle swaps and real-life mysteries while maintaining its commitment to younger viewers.[27] Key developments in 2025 saw 5Star align with the main Channel 5's rebranding to simply "5," unifying linear broadcasting, streaming, and digital platforms under a single parent identity to enhance content discoverability and perceptions of quality, though 5Star retained its distinct branding and programming slate.[28] This integration extended to expanded streaming options via the relaunched "5" app (formerly My5), which incorporates live feeds and on-demand access to 5Star content alongside 15 new ad-supported streaming channels, responding to the rise of free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) services.[29] Paramount Global further supported this adaptation by partnering with Pluto TV to launch Channel 5 FAST channels in the UK, remixing 5Star-aligned factual and reality content for free, ad-supported distribution to capitalize on growing viewer preferences for flexible, cost-free viewing.[30]

Ownership

2006–2010: RTL Group era

In October 2006, RTL Group expanded its Channel 5 portfolio by launching Five Life, a digital companion channel targeting lifestyle programming for women, alongside Five US, as part of a strategic investment in thematic digital services available on Freeview, Sky, and Virgin Media platforms. This initiative aimed to diversify revenue streams amid the growing adoption of digital television in the UK, with RTL allocating resources to develop content that complemented the main Channel 5 schedule.[5][31] Key executives at RTL Group's Channel 5 oversaw the development of these companion channels, with Ben Frow, serving as Controller of Features and Entertainment from 2004 to 2007, playing a pivotal role in shaping programming strategies. Frow focused on creating accessible, entertainment-driven content for Five Life, emphasizing reality formats and lifestyle shows to attract underserved audiences and boost overall portfolio engagement.[32] His efforts aligned with RTL's broader goal of enhancing Channel 5's market position through targeted digital extensions.[33] The global financial crisis impacted Channel 5's operations under RTL, particularly from 2008 onward, as advertising revenues declined sharply amid the economic downturn. In the first half of 2009, Channel 5's revenues fell 35% to €138 million from €212 million the previous year, contributing to RTL Group's overall losses and highlighting the channel's vulnerability to market fluctuations. To mitigate these pressures, CEO Dawn Airey announced a 25% reduction in the programming budget for 2009, cutting spending by £55 million to £165 million while prioritizing cost-effective entertainment and shifting resources toward digital and children's content.[34] These measures reflected RTL's emphasis on financial sustainability during the recession, though they strained content investment across the portfolio.[35] Faced with persistent unprofitability and strategic refocus on core European markets, RTL Group decided to divest its Channel 5 assets in 2010, selling the broadcaster to Richard Desmond's Northern & Shell for £103.5 million. This transaction allowed RTL to exit a underperforming UK operation and redirect capital toward higher-growth areas, marking the end of its direct involvement in British television.[36][37]

2010–2014: Northern & Shell era

In July 2010, Northern & Shell, owned by media proprietor Richard Desmond, acquired Channel 5 Broadcasting Limited for £103.5 million.[36] Under this ownership, the channel pursued cost-saving strategies, including substantial staff reductions—over 30% of the workforce—and a pivot to inexpensive programming formats like reality TV and celebrity-driven shows to improve profitability.[38] A key highlight was the £200 million acquisition of the Big Brother franchise in 2011, which aired on Channel 5 until 2018 and significantly boosted audience ratings, marking one of the channel's most successful periods in a decade.[39] Companion channels were also refreshed, with Fiver rebranded as 5* on 7 March 2011 to target a younger demographic with entertainment-focused content.[40] By 2014, these efforts had turned the network profitable, culminating in its sale to Viacom for £450 million.[41]

2014–present: ViacomCBS and Paramount era

In September 2014, Viacom International Media Networks completed its £450 million acquisition of Channel 5 Broadcasting Limited from Northern & Shell, incorporating the multichannel portfolio that included 5*.[42] This purchase marked Viacom's strategic entry into the UK free-to-air market, leveraging its global content library to enhance the network's offerings.[41] Under Viacom's ownership, the channel family underwent a significant rebranding in February 2016, with 5* relaunched as 5Star to align with a refreshed visual identity emphasizing modern entertainment.[24] This initiative, part of a broader network overhaul, aimed to unify branding across Channel 5's portfolio while boosting appeal to younger demographics through stylized graphics and integrated promotions.[26] Viacom also committed to expanding original content production, increasing Channel 5's annual programming budget beyond the previous £200 million with a focus on UK-commissioned shows to drive audience growth.[43] In February 2022, ViacomCBS rebranded to Paramount Global, integrating its international operations—including Channel 5 and 5Star—into Paramount Networks UK & Australia, a division headquartered in London with Sydney support.[44] This restructuring facilitated cross-promotion with Paramount's global assets, such as Paramount+, enhancing distribution and content synergy for the UK channels.[1] In early 2025, 5Star aligned its on-air presentation with the main Channel 5's rebrand to simply "5," adopting a streamlined logo and interface to unify the network's linear and streaming identity.[29] As of November 2025, 5Star remains under the ownership of Channel 5 Broadcasting Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Paramount Skydance Corporation, following the completion of the $8 billion merger between Paramount Global and Skydance Media in August 2025.[45] This new entity continues to prioritize investment in original programming and digital expansion to maintain competitive positioning in the evolving UK media landscape.[46]

Availability

Terrestrial and free-to-air platforms

5Star is available on digital terrestrial television platforms in the United Kingdom, primarily through Freeview, which provides free-to-air access to the channel nationwide. Launched initially as Five Life on 15 October 2006, the channel debuted on Freeview following the expansion of digital multiplex capacity after the earlier leasing arrangements with services like Top Up TV.[8] On Freeview, 5Star occupies channel position 32 in standard definition (SD).[47] The channel is broadcast on the SDN multiplex (also known as COM4), which utilizes MPEG-4 video encoding to enable efficient sharing of bandwidth among multiple services, including other commercial channels.[48] This setup supports reception on standard Freeview receivers, though HD-capable devices require DVB-T2 compatibility for optimal performance across the platform.[49] Free-to-air access extends to Freesat, a satellite-based service offering unencrypted channels without subscription fees. On Freesat, 5Star is positioned at channel 131 (SD), with the +1 feed on channel 141.[50][51] Following the channel's rebranding to 5Star on 11 February 2016 under Viacom's ownership, no dedicated HD variant was introduced on these terrestrial or free-to-air platforms, maintaining its SD format to align with the multiplex's capacity constraints.[2] Freeview's extensive transmitter network ensures broad coverage, reaching over 99% of UK households capable of receiving digital terrestrial signals.[52] This accessibility has made 5Star a staple for free-to-air viewers, particularly in regions with reliable aerial installations, without the need for paid subscriptions or additional equipment beyond a standard TV aerial and compatible receiver. A timeshifted +1 service is not available on Freeview as of November 2025.

Satellite and cable platforms

5Star has been available on satellite platforms in the United Kingdom since its launch as Five Life in 2006, with integration into the Sky Electronic Programme Guide (EPG) from the outset, allowing subscribers to access the channel seamlessly alongside other entertainment offerings. On Sky UK, the channel occupies position 128 for its standard-definition (SD) feed and 228 for the +1 hour time-shift variant, positions that have remained stable through subsequent rebrands as of November 2025. These placements ensure prominent visibility within the entertainment section of the EPG, facilitating easy navigation for Sky's satellite viewers using DVB-S technology. The channel's satellite transmission is broadcast via Astra 2F at 28.2°E, utilizing the frequency 11305 H with a symbol rate of 27500, FEC 2/3, and DVB-S modulation, enabling reliable reception across the UK footprint with a beam EIRP of approximately 0 dBW. This setup supports delivery to Sky's subscriber base, which exceeds 10 million TV households as of 2025, providing widespread access to 5Star's programming. During the 2011 rebrand from Fiver to 5*, the channel retained its EPG position on Sky without significant shifts, though broader EPG reorganizations that year prioritized HD content higher in the guide. On cable platforms, 5Star is distributed through Virgin Media, positioned at channel 72 for SD in earlier lineups but standardized to 126 for SD and 326 for +1 by the mid-2010s. Following the 2016 rebrand to 5Star and the expansion of HD services across Channel 5's portfolio, 5Star remains available in SD on Virgin Media, while HD options exist for other channels in the group. Virgin Media's cable network reaches around 5 million TV subscribers, contributing to 5Star's overall penetration of over 15 million households when combined with satellite distribution. This dual satellite and cable availability underscores 5Star's role as a key paid linear TV option, distinct from free-to-air terrestrial broadcasts.

IPTV and online streaming

5Star is available on several IPTV platforms in the United Kingdom, including YouView, TalkTalk TV, and BT TV, where it is positioned on channel 32 across these services.[53] These IP-based delivery systems integrate the channel into hybrid TV setups, allowing viewers to access it alongside free-to-air and on-demand content via broadband connections.[54] The channel's primary streaming access is through the free 5 platform, formerly known as My5, which relaunched in March 2025 to unify linear and on-demand viewing under a single brand. This service provides catch-up episodes of 5Star programming for up to seven days after broadcast, enabling users to stream full episodes and select clips on devices such as smartphones, tablets, and computers.[55] Since 2022, under Paramount Global's ownership, select 5Star content has been integrated into the Paramount+ subscription service in the UK, offering additional premium access to episodes and series beyond the free catch-up window. In 2025, the 5 platform introduced enhancements including 15 new free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) channels featuring curated 5Star-style programming, such as reality and entertainment formats, alongside improved app-based access on smart TVs from brands like Samsung, LG, and Android TV. These updates aim to expand reach through seamless integration with connected devices, supporting live simulcasts of 5Star and on-demand libraries.[56] Access to 5Star via IPTV and streaming is restricted to the United Kingdom due to licensing agreements, with geo-blocking enforced on the 5 platform and Paramount+ to prevent international viewing, including through VPNs in many cases.

Programming

Current first-run programming

5Star's current first-run programming emphasizes reality television, true crime documentaries, and factual entertainment, showcasing unscripted stories of everyday heroism, family dynamics, and criminal investigations. These commissions, produced under Paramount's oversight since the 2016 rebrand, highlight extraordinary aspects of real lives in the UK and abroad, with new episodes premiering regularly to attract audiences seeking authentic narratives. Primetime slots from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM are typically reserved for high-stakes reality and true crime series, while daytime and early evening hours feature ongoing soaps with fresh UK episodes, such as Home and Away, which airs new installments weekdays around 6:00 PM.[57] A cornerstone of the channel's factual lineup is Ambulance: Code Red, now in its fourth season as of 2025, which follows critical care paramedics and air ambulance teams responding to life-threatening emergencies across the Midlands and Thames Valley regions. Each 60-minute episode documents high-pressure calls, such as motorcycle crashes and postpartum hemorrhages, blending fly-on-the-wall footage with paramedic insights to illustrate the intensity of pre-hospital care; the series is produced by GroupM and airs weekly in primetime.[58] Similarly, GPs: Behind Closed Doors entered its ninth season in October 2025, offering an observational look inside UK general practices like the Ridge Medical Centre in Bradford, where episodes explore patient consultations on issues from chronic illnesses to mental health, produced by GroupM with a focus on the human side of primary care.[59][60] Family-oriented reality programming includes 22 Kids & Counting, chronicling the Radford family's daily life as Britain's largest family with 22 children, with 2025 episodes covering milestones like holidays and health challenges for the younger members, airing in afternoon slots around 5:00 PM.[61] In the expat reality genre, Bargain-Loving Brits in the Sun returned for its fourteenth season in early 2025, tracking budget-conscious British business owners and retirees on Spain's Costa Blanca and Costa del Sol, with each episode detailing entrepreneurial hustles like running low-cost hotels and bars in Benidorm, produced in a 60-minute format for evening viewing.[62] True crime content features series like Killer at the Crime Scene, where forensic experts and detectives reconstruct unsolved murders using evidence analysis, with 2025 episodes examining cold cases through dramatic recreations and witness interviews, typically scheduled in late primetime to delve into the investigative processes behind identifying perpetrators.[63] This slate underscores 5Star's commitment to original UK-premiere factual programming, with brief repeat airings of recent episodes to extend accessibility.[64]

Current repeat programming

5Star's current repeat programming emphasizes syndicated factual series and reality television, particularly those focused on law enforcement, emergency services, and medical dramas, to populate its daytime and off-peak schedules. These reruns often originate from the broader Channel 5 portfolio, enabling cross-channel synergies under Paramount Global's oversight. Representative examples include emergency and true crime documentaries that provide viewers with accessible, high-engagement content during non-prime hours.[53] The channel's daytime lineup, typically spanning 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM, relies heavily on repeats of UK-produced true crime and policing shows to serve as reliable fillers. Traffic Cops, a documentary series tracking roads policing operations across various UK forces, airs in multiple slots from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM, highlighting pursuits, accidents, and enforcement actions. This is followed by Police Interceptors, which documents high-stakes police operations including drug busts and vehicle chases, scheduled from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM with additional episodes extending into early evening. These repeats cater to audiences interested in real-world procedural drama, maintaining consistent viewership in the afternoon block.[53][65][66] In 2025, true crime repeats have become more prominent in the schedule, with series like A&E After Dark filling evening and late-night gaps to complement first-run content. The program, which offers exclusive access to overnight shifts in UK accident and emergency departments, airs episodes from previous seasons in slots such as 10:00 PM, capturing intense medical scenarios and staff challenges. Produced in partnership with NHS hospitals, it exemplifies 5Star's strategy to leverage factual programming for broader appeal post-recent scheduling tweaks. Repeats of Casualty 24/7: Every Second Counts, a related emergency services documentary, also appear in late-night rotations around 2:00 AM, providing crossover from Channel 5's output.[67][68][53] The Australian soap Home and Away features in repeat programming through late-night omnibus-style catch-ups and individual episode reruns, scheduled at 2:50 AM and 3:15 AM to allow viewers to revisit storylines from the week. These slots support the show's core audience by offering flexible viewing options beyond prime time. Broadcast rights for Home and Away in the UK are secured by Channel 5 under a multi-year agreement with the Seven Network, managed through Paramount Global's international distribution arm, ensuring ongoing access to the series' extensive library.[53][69][70] Licensing for much of 5Star's repeat slate involves multi-season syndication arrangements with production partners, including UK independents and international studios, facilitated by Paramount's global resources. While US imports like courtroom series have been staples in the past, current repeats prioritize British and Australian content for alignment with audience demographics, though Paramount's deals with American suppliers position the channel for potential expansions in syndicated dramas.[71]

Former 5Star programming

5Star's former original programming from the 2016 rebrand onward featured reality formats centered on social experiments, personal transformations, and lifestyle challenges, often highlighting class divides, personal crises, and behavioral change. These series were developed and funded during the ViacomCBS and Paramount Global ownership period, emphasizing accessible, issue-driven content aimed at younger audiences. Production typically involved independent UK studios in collaboration with Channel 5 Broadcasting, focusing on raw, unscripted narratives to engage viewers with relatable human stories. One prominent example was Rich Kids Go Skint, which ran for five seasons from 2018 to 2023. The series paired affluent young adults with working-class families facing financial struggles, challenging participants to adapt to modest living conditions, budget constraints, and everyday chores like grocery shopping on a limited income. This social experiment format aimed to bridge wealth gaps and foster empathy, with episodes often culminating in reflective discussions on privilege and resilience.[72] Another key series, Young, Dumb & Banged Up in the Sun, aired from 2017 to 2020 across multiple seasons, documenting the real-life ordeals of young British holidaymakers arrested abroad for crimes ranging from drug possession to petty theft. Produced as a cautionary documentary-reality hybrid, it featured interviews with former inmates recounting prison experiences in foreign countries, underscoring themes of impulsivity, cultural misunderstandings, and the consequences of reckless behavior overseas.[73] Filthy House SOS concluded in 2021 after addressing hoarding and cleaning crises in cluttered British homes. Hosted by expert cleaners, the show followed intensive interventions to declutter and sanitize properties overwhelmed by mess, often linked to mental health issues or life events, transforming spaces while providing emotional support to residents. Its cancellation was attributed to format fatigue amid shifting viewer preferences.[74][75] In 2021, 5Star underwent a programming pivot toward refreshed reality content, phasing out several established originals to introduce new social experiment series, aligning with broader trends in factual entertainment. This transition marked the end of the initial wave of 5Star-exclusive productions, allowing space for evolving audience demands in unscripted television.

Former Fiver and 5* programming

The Fiver era (2008–2011) marked a shift toward youth-oriented programming under the RTL Group, emphasizing imported American dramas and light entertainment to appeal to a demographic aged 15–35. The UK premiere of the teen drama Gossip Girl, which followed the scandalous lives of elite Manhattan high school students, aired on Fiver from 2008 to 2012, helping to establish the channel's focus on trendy, serialized content.[76] Complementing this, the original talk show Mid Morning (2009–2010) featured celebrity guests, fashion tips, and daytime discussions, though it was discontinued as part of broader schedule adjustments. These early imports and celebrity-driven formats were unique to the RTL period, prioritizing accessible, pop culture-infused viewing over family-oriented content from the main Channel 5. In 2011, Fiver rebranded to 5*, retaining a similar emphasis on entertainment but incorporating more reality and lifestyle elements amid the channel's acquisition by Viacom. Notable among discontinued shows was Big Brother: Live from the House (2012–2013), a companion series to the main Big Brother broadcast that provided post-eviction analysis and live house reactions, airing at 10 p.m. on 5* immediately after main Channel 5 episodes.[77] The fashion and celebrity series Celebs on the Go (2011–2014) showcased stars navigating daily life and style challenges, aligning with 5*'s glossy, aspirational vibe. Cancellations during this period often stemmed from rebranding shifts, such as the 2011 pivot away from some youth-specific imports to integrate more reality tie-ins, though these early efforts influenced later celebrity-focused programming on the network.

Ratings and audience

Historical viewership

Upon its launch as Five Life on 15 October 2006, the channel achieved an all-day audience share of 0.21%, reflecting limited initial appeal among viewers despite its focus on lifestyle and female-targeted programming.[9] This modest start was attributed to competition from established multichannel offerings and the channel's limited initial promotion, with individual programs drawing as low as 0.1% share in early airings.[9] Following the rebrand to Fiver in April 2008, which shifted emphasis toward younger adult entertainment, the channel's audience share steadily grew, as measured by BARB's all-day figures for individuals aged 4+.[78] This improvement was supported by Channel 5's cross-promotion efforts and a refreshed schedule featuring imported U.S. dramas, helping to build a more consistent viewer base within the broader Channel 5 portfolio.[78] The 2011 rebrand to 5* further boosted visibility through integrated marketing with the parent Channel 5 network, leading to peak viewership during high-profile events. Notably, specials tied to the "Big Brother" franchise in 2013, including companion segments like "Bit on the Side," attracted approximately 744,000 viewers (5.8% share) in select episodes, marking a high point for the channel's entertainment slate.[79] BARB data indicated these peaks contributed to elevated all-day shares during the summer series run.[80] From 2014 to 2016, 5* maintained annual average audience shares of approximately 0.8% under BARB's measurement methodology, which tracks viewing on TV sets including up to seven days of time-shifted content for individuals aged 4+ in all homes.[81] Rebrands and ongoing cross-promotion with Channel 5, such as shared advertising campaigns and program tie-ins, were key factors in sustaining this performance amid multichannel fragmentation.[82]

Recent performance and demographics

Following its 2016 rebrand, 5Star achieved average audience shares of 0.7–1.0% from 2021 to 2023, reflecting steady performance within the competitive free-to-air landscape.[83] This period saw the channel contribute to broader portfolio stability, with the Channel 5 family—including 5Star, 5USA, 5Select, and 5Action—recording a 5% overall share growth in 2023, the fifth consecutive year of expansion for the group.[84] In 2025, amid the overarching "5" rebrand unifying linear and streaming services that took effect on 12 March 2025, 5Star's viewership has held stable. This consistency underscores the channel's resilience despite industry-wide shifts toward on-demand consumption. 5Star's core audience skews toward females aged 16–44, with a notable concentration among urban demographics drawn to reality television and true crime programming. Recent trends highlight a streaming uplift through Paramount+, where My5 (now integrated under the "5" banner) grew viewing by 53% in 2024, helping offset linear TV declines across the portfolio.[85]

Branding and identity

Logo history

The logo history of 5Star reflects the channel's successive rebrands, each aligning with shifts in target audience and programming focus. Upon its launch on 15 October 2006 as Five Life, the channel adopted a logo created by the agency Precursor.[86] On 28 April 2008, the channel rebranded to Fiver, introducing a simplified lowercase "fiver" wordmark designed by the agency Dave, with an update in October 2008 by DixonBaxi.[86][13] The next rebrand occurred on 7 March 2011, when it became 5*, with a numeric "5*" logo. In 2016, following Viacom's acquisition of Channel 5, the channel was renamed 5Star on 11 February, debuting a bold sans-serif "5Star" wordmark segmented into five parts with varied textures and a palette of pink, purple, green, blue, and orange gradations that persists as of 2025.[24][87] Note that the parent channel Channel 5 rebranded to simply "5" in March 2025, but 5Star's branding remained unchanged.[88]

On-air idents and slogans

The on-air idents for Five Life, launched in 2006, featured lifestyle-oriented sequences emphasizing female empowerment, such as multi-screen montages depicting activities like beach scenes, biking, surfing, and dog walking, integrated with the Channel 5 logo.[89] Following the 2008 rebrand to Fiver, the idents shifted to a more dynamic and playful style, incorporating fun, youthful animations set to upbeat pop music stings, including tracks like Grandmaster Flash's "The Message".[13] The 2011 launch of 5* introduced idents aligning with fashion and entertainment programming.[86] In 2016, the rebrand to 5Star brought idents centered on factual and real-life vignettes, created by Found Studio, depicting transformative "trigger moments" in everyday settings—like a street drummer igniting colorful patterns or a hotel lobby bursting into vibrant displays.[90][91]

References

  1. Stray Kids to release full-length album '5-STAR' early June
  2. 5-STAR - Album by Stray Kids | Spotify
  3. Stray Kids announce June comeback with '5-Star' album - NME
  4. Stray Kids' '5-STAR' Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard 200 Albums Chart
  5. Stray Kids Sell 2 Million Copies Of New EP '5 Star' In One Day - Forbes
  6. Stray Kids - 5-STAR (Target Exclusive, CD)
  7. Stray Kids The 3rd Album (5-STAR) - JYP SHOP
  8. Entertainment | Five TV spin-offs bring escapism - BBC NEWS
  9. [PDF] Annual Report 2006 | RTL Group
  10. RTL chief vows to turn round Five - The Guardian
  11. Entertainment | Five unveils digital TV channels - BBC NEWS
  12. Channel Five to launch two new channels | Channel 5 - The Guardian
  13. Five Life launch barely registers | Channel 5 - The Guardian
  14. Five Life to relaunch as Fiver | Channel 5 - The Guardian
  15. Channel Five sets date for Fiver launch - The Guardian
  16. Five confirms Life rebrand - Campaign
  17. Five reveals digital channel idents - The Guardian
  18. [PDF] Martin Stott - Discover Leveson
  19. Fiver 2008 – 2010 Branding - TVARK
  20. Fiver - Audiovisual Identity Database
  21. Fiver set to become 5* | The Drum
  22. Research into different channels and target audience | PPTX
  23. Big Brother's Bit on the Side (TV Series 2011– ) - IMDb
  24. Celebrity Big Brother watched by 3.5m | TV ratings | The Guardian
  25. Five* and 5USA rebrand unveiled | News - Broadcast
  26. 5 (United Kingdom) | Logopedia - Fandom
  27. 5 Star | TVARK
  28. Channel 5 rebrands with new logo - Creative Review
  29. Channel 5 rebrands as it claims its 'diverse' content doesn't get the ...
  30. Why Channel 5 revamped its brand for the first time in five years
  31. Rich Kids Go Skint - Season 4 - Episode 7 / Christmas Special
  32. Why Channel 5 rebranded to 5 to unite streaming and linear
  33. Channel 5 and My5 to relaunch as 5 in 2025 – across linear and ...
  34. PLUTO TV AND CHANNEL 5 ADD CHANNELS TO THE FREE ...
  35. Our history - RTL Group
  36. Channel Five execs heading for the door - The Guardian
  37. Channel Five: a timeline | Channel 5 | The Guardian
  38. Channel Five's Dawn Airey confirms 25% cut in programming budget
  39. Channel Five owner RTL's revenue drops 11% - The Guardian
  40. Richard Desmond buys Channel Five for £103.5m - The Guardian
  41. Richard Desmond buys channel Five owner for £104m - BBC News
  42. Viacom Closes Acquisition Of UK's Channel 5 And Unveils Co ...
  43. Viacom buys Channel 5 for £450m from Richard Desmond
  44. Viacom to increase Channel 5 budget - The Guardian
  45. VIACOMCBS UNVEILS NEW COMPANY NAME, GLOBAL ...
  46. 5 - Paramount
  47. Skydance Media and Paramount Global Complete Merger, Creating ...
  48. Paramount-Skydance: Channel 5 Future Analyzed Post Merger
  49. List of Freeview Channels in the UK - Daft Logic
  50. Freeview Channel List (England and Wales EPG) - RXTV
  51. 5STAR +1 | free and easy for 22 years - UK Free TV
  52. What HD channels can I watch on Freeview?
  53. Freesat channel list UK - RXTV
  54. 5STAR | free and easy for 22 years - UK Free TV
  55. 5STAR - Freeview
  56. [PDF] Future of TV Distribution - Ofcom
  57. 5STAR schedule & listings for today and tonight - TV Guide
  58. YouView | Home
  59. How can I access 5? - Help centre - Channel 5
  60. Channel 5 Launches '5' Streaming Service with Expanded ...
  61. 5STAR - TV Listings Guide - My Telly
  62. Season 4 - Ambulance: Code Red - Channel 5
  63. That's a wrap on GPs: Behind Closed Doors, Series 9 for ... - Instagram
  64. GPs: Behind Closed Doors - Season 7 - Episode 8 ... - Channel 5
  65. 22 Kids & Counting on 5STAR - TV Guide
  66. Bargain Loving Brits In The Sun | Season 9 Episode 1 - YouTube
  67. 22 Kids & Counting - Season 1 - Channel 5
  68. Midlands Air Ambulance Charity Returns To Your TV Screens
  69. https://www.tvguide.co.uk/schedule/bf6968c8-8767-5669-a8e6-a060a0c95b45/traffic-cops
  70. https://www.tvguide.co.uk/schedule/6c54e086-c37a-523f-b048-4817e9d4b778/police-interceptors
  71. A&E After Dark on 5STAR - TV Guide
  72. A&E After Dark is back Join us at 9pm on 5Star for a ... - Instagram
  73. Home and Away - Season 25 - Episode 8581 / Monday 10 November
  74. Home and Away confirms big change for UK viewers starting next ...
  75. Paramount-Owned Channel 5's Profits Drop; Content Spend Hits High
  76. Rich Kids Go Skint - Season 1 - Channel 5
  77. Young, Dumb & Banged Up In The Sun - Season 1 - Channel 5
  78. Filthy House SOS - Season 2 - Channel 5
  79. Filthy House SOS (TV Series 2020–2021) - IMDb
  80. Freeview Schedule for Sunday 27th December - TV Help
  81. Big Brother: Live From The House
  82. 'Dirt' makes muted return for Fiver - Digital Spy
  83. [PDF] 2. Television and audio visual - Ofcom
  84. Big Brother 2013 launch ratings down on last year for Channel 5
  85. https://www.barb.co.uk/
  86. [PDF] The Communications Market 2016 - Ofcom
  87. [PDF] UK television industry - Ofcom
  88. Monthly Viewing by channel/service - Barb
  89. Channel 5 sees 5 consecutive years of audience growth
  90. [PDF] Media nations: UK 2022 - Ofcom
  91. Five appoints Precursor - Design Week
  92. Will Channel 5's rebrand turn out OK? | Media Monkey - The Guardian
  93. Channel 5 launches new brand identity based around the idea of ...
  94. Five Life - Audiovisual Identity Database
  95. 5Star | Logopedia | Fandom
  96. thisisfive.co.uk | 5 Star | February 2016 to September 2019 | Idents
  97. 5STAR : 2016 Idents
User Avatar
No comments yet.