5Spike
| 5Spike | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Launched | 15 April 2015 |
| Owned by | Channel 5 Broadcasting Ltd (Viacom International Media Networks Europe) |
| Picture format | 576i (16:9 SDTV) |
| Audience share | 0.53% (March 2017, BARB) |
| Slogan | Live it like Spike |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Broadcast area | United Kingdom |
| Formerly called | Spike (2015–2017) |
| Sister channel(s) | |
| Website | www |
|
Availability
|
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| Terrestrial | |
| Freeview | Channel 31 |
| Satellite | |
| Freesat | Channel 141 |
| Sky (UK only) | Channel 160 Channel 219 (+1) |
| Astra 2G | 10964 H 22000 5/6 10964 H 22000 5/6 (+1) |
| Cable | |
| Virgin Media | Channel 154 |
| Streaming media | |
| TVPlayer | Watch live (UK only) |
5Spike is a British digital television channel owned by Viacom International Media Networks Europe. Launching on 15 April 2015 on Freeview, it is a localised version of the American channel of the same name, and primarily airs entertainment programming geared towards a male audience, including Channel 5 programming, police documentaries, import dramas, programming from its U.S. counterpart, and mixed martial arts.
Following Viacom's acquisition of Channel 5, it was reported that a local version of the male skewing U.S. channel Spike would be launching in the United Kingdom. These reports were confirmed in late 2014, with the channel proposed to replace Viva on Freeview. The channel is operated under the auspices of Channel 5's programming director Ben Frow; of Spike's lineup, he described the service as a "driven, high-energy channel offering a point of view and programme mix I think is different from anything else on British TV right now."
5Spike launched as Spike on 15 April 2015 on Freeview channel 31, displacing 5 USA; although it was originally announced that Spike would replace Viva entirely on Freeview, Viva was instead moved to a different channel and reduced to two hours per-day to conserve bandwidth for Spike, with 5 USA taking on its previous channel allotment. Among its first programs, the premiere of Police Interceptors Unleashed was seen by 137,000 viewers.
On Tuesday 31 October 2017, Spike was rebranded as 5Spike to better identify the station as part of the Channel 5 family, with an amended logo incorporating the C5 brand identity alongside that of Spike.
The channel's lineup draws primarily from the original programmes produced by its U.S. counterpart, including Bar Rescue, Catch a Contractor, and Lip Sync Battle among others, along with imported U.S. dramas such as Breaking Bad (notably marking the first time the entire series would be broadcast by British television; only the first two seasons were shown by Fox and 5 USA, with the remainder available via Netflix), Sons of Anarchy, Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles and The Walking Dead. Spike also carries original British productions, such as Police Interceptors Unleashed—a spin-off of the Channel 5 series hosted by footballer Vinnie Jones, and repeats of some of Channel 5's factual programmes.
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