Channel 5 has joined Digital UK, entering a new members’ agreement with the BBC, ITV and Channel 4, marking the first time the venture has been wholly owned by all four public service broadcasters.
Digital UK merged with Freesat earlier this year, bringing the two free-to-view TV organisations together with the aim of ensuring that viewers continue to have access to a range of free TV services in the UK.
Caroline Thomson, chair of Digital UK, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Channel 5 to Digital UK and thank all our members for their continuing support.
“The future of free-to-view television is critical to providing all UK viewers with high-quality British content and we look forward to working with all public service broadcasters to develop and deliver continually evolving and compelling free TV services across Freeview and Freesat.”
Sarah Rose, chief commercial and operations officer, ViacomCBS UK, added: “We’re delighted Channel 5 has joined the BBC, ITV and Channel 4 to help shape the future of free-to-view TV as part of Digital UK.
“Channel 5 plays a distinctive role in public service broadcasting in the UK and, as part of ViacomCBS can bring a unique perspective to the opportunities that lie ahead.”
