As Five Download, the service offered downloads in Windows Media Video format of the US imports CSI, House and Grey's Anatomy. Individual episodes could be 'rented', with some episodes available seven days before they appeared on TV.
More varied content from Channel 5's programming has become available since June 2008, with a wider prevalence of free content offered for 30 days after broadcast. In January 2009, Demand 5 began to offer content in the Flash Video format, allowing users with Apple Macintosh computers to access their content.[2]
On November 1, 2023, Paramount announced that it would merge My5 with Pluto TV in the UK, with its full launch date set to be planned for the second half of 2024.[3] These plans would be shelved with the announcement on 20 August 2024 that the service would instead be revamped and, along with Channel 5, would be rebranded as simply 5.[4]
Web platforms
My5 website
My5 is the main source of on-demand programmes from Viacom services like Channel 5, 5Star and Pluto TV.[5] It offers a seven-day catch-up service as well as an archive of past shows.[6][7]
YouTube
My5 is also partly available on YouTube, launching in the United Kingdom on 4 December 2009.[8] My5's catch-up content reaches YouTube shortly after TV transmission and users are able to browse 250 hours of the broadcaster's archive content.
Television platforms
BT Vision
Demand 5 launched on BT Vision on 7 October 2008.[9] Demand 5 was removed from BT Vision on 6 October 2010,[10] although the two companies continued discussions in a bid to reinstate the service, having previously stalled during contract renegotiations.[11] The service returned to BT Vision in May 2011.
Freesat
Demand 5 is available as part of Freesat's second generation Free Time guide, having been added on 6 August 2013, offering the last seven days of programming integrated to the TV guide.[12]
Roku
On 26 July 2013, Now TV released a Now TV-branded Roku streaming box, including a Demand 5 app.[13] Three days after the release of the Now TV Box, Roku added Demand 5 to its own range of streaming devices.[14] The Roku service continued to operate in the Demand 5 format until December 2018, when it was upgraded to My5.
Sky
On 26 July 2012, it was announced that Demand 5 would be added to On Demand later in the year.[15] The service was made available on 26 September 2012.
Televisions and Blu-ray players
In September 2009, an agreement was reached to make Demand 5 is available through Sony's Blu-ray Disc players, Blu-ray home cinema systems and Smart TVs, via the BRAVIA Internet Video service.[16]
On 13 May 2011, it was announced that Demand 5 would also be available on Samsung's Smart TVs through their Samsung Smart TV service.[17] On 16 January 2013 a Demand 5 app was launched and is available to download on Samsung Apps.[18]
My5 is available on Virgin Media's cable television service, offering programmes for 7 days after broadcast since November 2010.[19]
In late 2019, it was confirmed that as part of a wider deal with ViacomCBS, the My5 app, along with the UK version of Pluto TV and subscription service MTV Play would be made available on Virgin Media.[20]
YouView
My5 was one of four services available at the launch of YouView in July 2012. At launch the My5 app contained options to resume watching recent programmes, access favourites, browse featured programmes or a full list of shows, find similar programmes or more episodes and an integrated search bar.[21]
From December 2018, the Demand 5 app was retired from all platforms and replaced by My5.[23]
Xbox
On 5 October 2011, it was announced that My5 (Demand 5 at the time) would be made available on Xbox 360[24][25] and was later made available on Xbox One
As with the PS3 app, the Demand 5 Xbox app was retired in December 2018.[23]
Mobile platforms
iOS devices
A Big Brother Demand 5 app for the iPad, iPod Touch and iPhone launched on 19 August 2011, the app offered a 30-day catch-up service for Big Brother content. The app has been extended to incorporate catch-up content from Channel 5, 5* and 5USA, creating an overall Demand 5 app.[26] The app is compatible with iOS 10.0 or later.[27] Reviews of the app have been very poor due to, among other issues, that Demand 5 can only be used on Wifi networks, rather than 3G or 4G[28]
Android
On 16 May 2013, Demand5 was launched on a range of Samsung Galaxy Android devices including smartphone and tablets.
Windows Phone
On 25 November 2013, Demand5 was launched for mobile phone handsets running the Windows Phone 8 platform.[29]
Programming
In addition to programming taken from Paramount Global services like BET and Pluto TV Drama, My5 used to act as the on-demand service for a number of other UK channels and programme content owners, like A+E Networks' Blaze, until Sept 30th 2021, when those agreements were voided and it became a service for content exclusive to PNUK&A networks.[30]BET[31][32] shows and specials are still available on My5 along with a number of classic MTV reality shows (such as Ex on the Beach[33] and Geordie Shore)[34] as My5 Exclusives, with the British BET International channel being streamed in the UK via Pluto TV.
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