Marking the first time a commercial UK public service broadcaster has provided a branded presence for another UK broadcaster on its on-demand platform, Channel 5’s My5 service is to offer content from the Blaze channel from A+E Networks UK.
The announcement is part of Channel 5’s stated aim to grow viewing beyond broadcast, building on the reach of My5 as the most widely available commercial broadcaster on-demand platform and providing additional depth and breadth of content across genres.My5 houses all of the most popular programming from across the Channel 5 family such as the core channel itself plus 5STAR, 5USA and Spike. These offer programmes such as Blind Date, Big Brother, The Highland Midwife, Lip Sync Battle UK, GPs: Behind Closed Doors and Cruising with Jane McDonald. The content line-up is further bolstered by My5 exclusives, including the recently acquired series Wonderland and the forthcoming East Los High.
Blaze launched in 2016, designed to bring a host of well-known and successful A+E Networks International content and franchises under a new brand that the company says ‘celebrates extraordinary, determined and courageous characters’. My5 viewers can now access a selection of Blaze content, updated every month, hit A+E Networks UK shows such as Swamp People, Pawn Stars, Forged in Fire and Billy the Exterminator. The content is available on the My5 website as well as iOS and Android devices and Samsung smart TVs, with further platforms to follow shortly.
“This exciting next phase in the evolution of My5 builds on our recent successes in offering exclusive box set content for the platform,” commented Channel 5 commercial, operations and strategic services VP James Tatam. “We’re excited to partner with A+E Networks UK; their high-quality programming from around the world broadens the appeal of My5 and we look forward to announcing further content deals in the future.”
Added A+E Networks UK general manager Heather Jones: “It is exciting to be working in partnership with Channel 5, to enable Blaze to reach an even wider audience through the My5 digital platform. Since its UK launch last year, Blaze is proving to be a great addition to the A+E Networks portfolio and today’s announcement is another key development in our ambitions for the brand.”
