Five confirms multichannel launches

Five has confirmed plans to launch two free-to-air spinoff channels across all digital platforms this autumn.

The first - 'five US' - will build on the channel's strength in the US acquisitions market with a lineup featuring "the very best of American television". Genres will include established and new drama, comedy, films, sport and youth programming.

One sticking point with the new channel is that the multichannel rights to many of its key US shows - including CSI, House and Law & Order - are already taken by other broadcasters. To that end, Five upped its presence at the recent LA screenings in a bid to stock up on new US content.

The second channel, 'five life', will be largely aimed at a female audience with drama, films, soaps, popular factual, lifestyle and an extension of popular pre-school block Milkshake! It will also house spinoff series based on established shows from the main Five channel.

"This is tremendously exciting and the most important development in Five's history since our launch more than nine years ago," said Jane Lighting, Five's chief exec. "We believe these two new channels will play to our programming strengths, highlighting genres in which we have an acknowledged track record.

"A huge amount of work has gone on behind the scenes to create two propositions that genuinely increase viewer choice across the digital platforms."