Five Download set for major overhaul

LONDON - Five is set to radically revamp its video-on-demand offer, Five Download, early in the New Year with a rebranded mixed subscription and ad-supported service available both via PCs and pay-TV platforms.

Launched last October, Five Download offers downloads of a small selection of Five shows such as CSI, up to seven days before they are aired on TV. The service lags behind the VoD developments of broadcasting rivals ITV, Channel 4 and the BBC.

Five will expand the range of content, providing a free ad-supported catch-up service and an archive.

The revamped VoD service could be rebranded, although a final decision has yet to be taken. Additionally, the new Five VoD service will follow BBC iPlayer and C4's 4oD into the TV space, with talks underway for a VoD “channel” with the UK's pay-TV platforms.

"We are in the middle of building phase two for our VoD presence," a senior Five source said. "We have done our deal with [independent producers' association] Pact to secure more VoD rights, plus we have cleared more rights around our various acquisitions. We are building out a broader consumer offer that will cover a range of models from paid-for to free ad-supported. We will have a combination of catch- up and archive content."

The source said the relaunch was likely to be early next year, adding: “We are considering a new name for the service."

Talks are progressing regards the launch of a VoD "channel" via one of the UK's pay-TV platforms. The source said: "We are further down the line with some than others. We are in talks with people about the wider distribution of Five VoD."

Although the paid-for download element of the Five VoD service will be beefed-up – with rights secured for more of Five's hit TV shows – the revamp recognises the fact that there are more revenues to be generated from advertising online than through paid-for downloads