UK public service broadcaster 5 is launching a new channel, 5Drama, on 21 October 2026 as a home for its UK drama output, as well as a range of US and Australian series.
5Drama will replace 5Select in the line-up of channels available on digital platforms. The new channel will carry 5 original dramas, including All Creatures Great and Small, The Madame Blanc Mysteries, The Hardacres, and detective dramas like Ellis and Dalgliesh.
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5Drama will also showcase boxsets from 5Streaming, including Gilmore Girls, A Million Little Things, and Waterloo Road.
Soon after launch, 5 will mark its long-standing association with Australian soap Home and Away by airing the series from the very first episode on 5Drama, dating back to 1988.
5Drama joins the broadcaster’s roster of on-air channels, sitting alongside 5, 5Action, 5Star, and 5USA.
5 also has a range of FAST channels available on 5Streaming and on other platforms including Freely, 5Cops, 5Police Interceptors, 5Crime, 5A&E, 5Trucking Hell, 5Bargain Loving Brits, 5Medical, 5Yorkshire Vet, 5History, 5Movies, 5Christmas in Summer, and Milkshake!
Alongside this, the broadcaster is expanding the range of channels it offers on YouTube. The channel 5Docs will be the latest addition to its portfolio on the platform. 5Docs joins the recently launched 5Sport, live NFL games on the main 5 YouTube channel, alongside 5 News, Jeremy Vine & Daytime on 5, and Milkshake!
Reemah Sakaan, President, 5, said: "Award-winning drama is increasingly at the heart of what 5 offers viewers, so it's the right time to give it a dedicated home. This, and the expansion of our portfolio across multiple platforms, is about sharpening our channels and giving viewers a clear offer wherever they're watching – on linear, 5Streaming, Freely or YouTube.”
Paramount recently appointed Reemah Sakaan as President of its UK public service broadcaster, 5. Discover more here.
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