By Stuart Thomson
ViacomCBS’s free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) service Pluto TV has extended its partnership with the UK’s Channel 5 – a sister service also owned by ViacomCBS – with three new channels to be added to the streaming service in the UK this month, featuring some of the broadcaster’s best-loved talent.
In addition, existing Channel 5 programming on Pluto TV – originally available via My5 Crime and My5 GPs – has been repackaged into two branded channels.
In all, the suite of five branded channels will significantly expand Channel 5’s presence on Pluto TV.
Channels brought to Pluto TV by the deal include: Cruising with Jane McDonald, Destination Britain, featuring titles such as Britain by Bike with Larry & George Lamb and Walking Britain’s Lost Railways, featuring Rob Bell; Building Britain, with range of programmes spotlighting historic and modern triumphs of engineering, including Britain’s Greatest Ships, Britain’s Greatest Boats, Britain’s Greatest Bridges and George Clarke’s Build a New House in the Country; and GPs Behind Closed Doors – formerly My5 GPs.
Finally, My5 Crime will become 5 Cops on Pluto TV, with titles including Police Interceptors and Traffic Cops.
“These new FAST channels from Channel 5 show the potential of Pluto TV for content partners, who can remix and repackage evergreen content to reach fans new and old”, said SVP Streaming, ViacomCBS UK, Dan Fahy.
“Pluto TV provides content partners with a sophisticated consumer platform, market wide distribution, a proven monetisation model and significant marketing support – this offer is unrivalled in the UK FAST space.
The launch of the 5-branded channels follows news that the latest season of Star Trek: Discovery, formerly distributed internationally via Netflix, will debut on Pluto TV viewers in the UK, as well as Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Switzerland this winter.
“The addition of the new Channel 5 channels to the service strengthens Pluto TV’s range of local and international programming in way that is compelling to viewers who enjoy the linear streaming experience, while also consolidating Pluto TV’s position as the leading FAST player in the UK.”
With more than 54 million monthly active users, Pluto TV has a rapidly expanding global footprint and is currently available in the US, the UK, Europe and Latin America, where the service has seen strong momentum.
