Five (TV)
Five formerly known as Channel 5 is the United Kingdom's fifth terrestrial TV Channel. The British frequency plan only allowed for four channels to be transmitted using analogue terrestrial transmitters, so it was very difficult to allocate frequencies for the new channel before its launch in March 1997 – UHF channel 37 was allocated in many areas, which meant that large numbers of domestic videorecorders (which output on that channel) had to be retuned at the new company's expense. Unlike the other four analogue British television channels, many areas remain unable to receive it via analogue terrestrial broadcasts, notably the south coast. The channel is available on all digital platforms (Sky Television satellite, and Freeview digital terrestrial, also most cable operators).In 2002, Channel 5 had a 6.3% share of individual television viewing in the UK. (Source: BARB).
On 27 February 2004 it was reported that the owners of Five and Channel 4 were discussing a possible merger.
See also: List of British television channels