Channel 5 reports its fourth consecutive year of growth in terms of viewer reach, as broadcaster finds formula for success.
Channel 5’s mix of drama and factual programmes, particularly attracting older and more upmarket audiences, is giving rivals including BBC Two and Channel 4 a run for their money. Channel 5 boss Ben Frow says the “strength and variety” of Channel 5’s schedule continues to “change perceptions of the channel.”
The channel turned 25 in 2022 and has in recent years started to establish a niche for itself. Keen to distance itself from its original format, Channel 5’s 25 year anniversary was broadly a low key affair for the broadcaster.
Through 2022, The Teacher, starring Sheridan Smith, become the channel’s highest ever commissioned drama, drawing in an audience of 4.3 million across its run, followed closely by the third series of All Creatures Great and Small (3.8m), The Holiday (2.9m) and Maxine (2.6m). The final ever episode of Neighbours on 29th July consolidated to 3.9 million.
Meanwhile, Channel 5 had its best festive fortnight since 2005, taking a 7% share of viewing from 19th December 2022 – 1st January 2023. This was down to several strong films and another Christmas special of All Creatures Great And Small – the most popular programme on TV across the hour for the second year running.
The channel also had its highest Christmas Day on record with a 6.8% share, whilst 5Star, 5USA and 5ACTION had their highest festive fortnights ever and 5Select had its highest since 2019.
Spin-off channels 5STAR, 5USA, 5Select and 5ACTION grew more than any of its commercial terrestrial competitors (+2 %). Key titles included Trucking Hell, Treadstone, NCIS, Law & Order: SVU, Home & Away, A&E After Dark and weather documentaries.
5ACTION was created at the beginning of 2022 to replace Paramount Network.
Pre-school success
Channel 5’s pre-school strand Milkshake! also had a strong year. It grew 15% compared the previous year. Its growth was aided by three of its highest ever months across the year in January, May and June, driven by titles including Paw Patrol, Peppa Pig, Pip & Posy, The Adventures Of Paddington, Milo, Mimi’s World, The World According To Grandpa and Pop Paper City.
Previously, Channel 5 had struggled as various owners over the years kept modifying its schedule and channel portfolio. At launch more of a brash, tabloid rival to ITV, within five years, the channel’s former owners tried to go more upmarket. Then followed a further tabloid era, with the return of Big Brother, before Viacom, now Paramount Global took over.
Ben Frow, Chief Content Officer, UK, at Paramount commented:
Four consecutive years of share growth is a huge achievement for any channel and it’s testament to the strength and variety of Channel 5’s schedule – which is continuing to change perceptions of the channel and attract new viewers,