| Five Television |
Five was the final analogue broadcaster to be launched, in March 1997. Its analogue terrestrial coverage is less than that of the other analogue broadcasters, and broadcast in re-assigned frequencies, often at a lower power from major transmitters only. Many ex-VHF transmitters which were used for black and white transmissions prior to the switchover to UHF transmissions in the 1970s–80s are now used to broadcast Five, mainly due to capacity restraints on the masts. It was also the first terrestrial broadcaster to broadcast on satellite and carry a permanent digital on-screen graphic (DOG). The channel was re-named "Five" in 2002, which saw an overhaul of the channel's identity and removal of the infamous DOG. RTL Group, Europe's largest television broadcaster and a subsidiary of Bertelsmann, took full control of the channel in August 2005.
Five runs two other channels, Fiver and Five USA, all of Five's channels are carried on satellite television, cable television and digital terrestrial television services. Five also owns 20% of the digital terrestrial pay-TV provider, Top Up TV. Like Channel 4, Five does not have programming regional variations, however it does so for advertising. Fiver and Five USA are free-to-view (ftv) and require a Freesat from Sky card, they are not currently carried on Freesat, the main channel Five broadcasts an unencrypted version on the Astra 2D satellite, allowing it to be on Freesat. |
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| Website: www.five.tv |
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| Fiver |
Fiver is a free-to-view television channel in the United Kingdom owned by Five. The channel launched as "Five Life" on 15 October 2006, and was rebranded as "Fiver" on 28 April 2008. The channel is available on digital television via Freeview, Sky Digital (including the Freesat from Sky service), TalkTalk TV and Virgin Media. It is not currently available on Freesat but Five state on their website that they are "working on it". It was originally launched alongside Five USA by Five, in order to create a multi-channel strategy, which other analogue broadcasters had already achieved.
Fiver broadcasts between 6am and midnight, transmitting programmes for a mixed audience including Milkshake, for children, on weekends. A Freesat from Sky card is required to view Fiver on satellite. |
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| Website: Fiver |
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| Five USA |
Five USA is a free-to-view entertainment television channel in the United Kingdom owned by Five, launched on 16 October 2006 as "Five US" and was the second digital channel to be launched by Five as part of their multi-channel strategy, the first being Fiver. Five USA concentrates on showing imported movies and programmes from the United States, originally broadcast from 4:00 pm to 1:00 am, extending its hours starting at 12 noon in June 2007. The channel changes its programme slots and shows from time to time. Five USA is shown on Freeview, IPTV, digital cable and Sky. It is not currently available on Freesat, however Five state on their website that they are "working on it".
A Freesat from Sky card is required to view Five USA on satellite. |
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| Website: Five USA |
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| Five HD |
Five will launch a HD simulcast version of their main channel Five, the main public-service channel, from 5pm to 1am.
The service will launch on Freeview, there are not current details about an exact launch date, or whether the service will be available on Freesat, Sky and Virgin media.
Commenting on the decision by Ofcom, Five’s Director of Strategy, Charles Constable, said: “Five is pleased to be awarded the fourth DTT HD stream so Freeview viewers can enjoy the best of our programmes in high definition format. We look forward to resolving outstanding issues with Ofcom so our HD service can join those from the BBC, ITV and Channel 4 in due course.”
There is currently no news on whether Five HD will join Freesat, Sky or Virgin Media. |
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| Demand Five |
Demand Five is the online download service from Five television. The Demand Five service, previously known as 'five download', went live on the 26 June 2008.
You may want to catch up on the programmes you missed last night, last week or download an entire series that you missed.
Demand Five includes a mixture of programmes that you will need to pay for (this is due to specific deals with production studios) and free programmes. Just head to the watch now section to see what's available to view.
You could connect your computer to your television to watch Demand Five, programmes are offered at broadcast standard through Demand Five, so it will be almost like watching live TV.
To download and watch VOD through the Demand Five site, you will have to register and download the Demand Five Player.
The installation process will check your system for compatibility and that you are connected through a UK Internet Service Provider (ISP). |
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| Website: Demand Five |
| See Demand Five under the TV & Radio Online Section. |
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