Viacom plugs My5 channels into Pluto TV

AVOD streamer Pluto TV is to launch three UK channels using content from the VOD platform of its Viacom stablemate Channel 5, focusing on crime, documentary and medical programming.

Pluto TV, which was acquired by Viacom for $340m six months ago, will launch My5 Crime, My5 Documentaries and My5 GPs: Behind Closed Doors channels on its linear service from today.

My5 Documentaries will provide access to shows such as Pompeii’s Final Hours: New Evidence, Around the World by Train with Tony Robinson, and Britain’s Bloodiest Dynasty, while My5 Crime’s slate includes 5Spike’s Fights, Camera, Action, and Police Interceptors.

Single series channel My5 GPs: Behind Closed Doors, which is dedicated to the Knickerbockerglory TV produced show, grants access to the daily experiences of health care professionals in the UK’s NHS.

The move comes a month after Pluto TV launched three of its channels – Pluto TV Drama, Pluto TV Movies and Pluto TV Food – on My5.

Oli Thomas, VP of digital at Viacom International Media Networks, UK, Northern and Eastern Europe, said the latest additions “extend the availability of strong performing Channel 5 content to new audiences in the OTT space.”

He added that Pluto TV content on My5 currently accounted for 5% of viewing on the platform, just a month after its launch.

AVOD has become increasingly fought over in the past 12 months, with Viacom boss Bob Bakish saying in May that his company would take Pluto TV global. Earlier this month, the Pluto TV launched a suite of linear Spanish and Portuguese-language channels.