Five unveils digital TV channels

Five Life will offer children's shows under the Milkshake! banner

Broadcaster Five is to launch two new digital TV channels this autumn.

Five US will offer drama, films, sport, comedy and youth programming from across the Atlantic.

Five Life will provide pre-school shows under the Milkshake! banner as well as drama, films, soaps, popular factual and lifestyle shows aimed at women.

Spin-offs from Five's existing hits will also air on the new outlets, which will launch on Freeview. They are also expected to be on cable and satellite.

'Substantial investment'

Five chief executive Jane Lighting said: "This is tremendously exciting and the most important development in Five's history since our launch more than nine years ago.

"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."

Five has bought a stake in Top Up TV and the channels will use Freeview space that has been taken up by the pay-TV operator.

But viewers will not have to have Top Up TV or pay extra to receive the new channels.

The channels will be funded by a "substantial additional investment" from the broadcaster's parent company RTL.