MY5 strikes it HOT in first foreign language deal
Details
Joseph O'Halloran
| 04 March 2019

UK broadcaster Channel 5’s My5 on-demand streaming service has signed a content partnership deal with Israel’s largest multi-channel cable TV provider service HOT Telecommunication Systems.

My5 houses all of Channel 5’s most popular content, including Michael Palin in North Korea, Rich House, Poor House, Neighbours and Cruising with Jane McDonald. The content line-up — whose content spans genres including history, scripted drama, reality, documentaries and comedy — also includes My5 exclusives, including East Los High.

The partnership with HOT marks the first ever foreign language content deal for My5 and includes a selection of four original Hebrew language drama series produced by HOT. All content will debut on My5 in spring of this year and will be subtitled in English. HOT is set to deliver true-life drama Miguel (6 x 60’), comedy drama Juda (8 x 60’), family drama Mekimi (5 x 60’) and two series of crime drama Sirens (10 x 60’ each).

“Israel has produced some of the most compelling original drama in recent years, so we’re excited to have partnered with HOT for our first ever foreign language offering on My5,” commented James Tatam, VP of commercial, digital and operations, Channel 5. “Our viewers want quality and variety and we will continue to look far and wide to increase the diversity of content on My5.”

Added HOT CEO Tal Granot: “HOT is the leading communication group in Israel and the home of Israeli creation. The demand for top Israeli content is increasing worldwide and for more than a decade Israeli series created by HOT have received and won international awards. We are excited to be partnering with Viacom, enabling UK viewers to watch some of HOT's leading productions.”

The HOT deal is also part of My5’s strategy to offer a wide range of third-party content alongside popular programming from across the Channel 5 portfolio. In 2018, Channel 5 announced that it had signed My5 content partnership deals with PBS America, A+E Networks UK for its free-to-air entertainment channel BLAZE, the Together channel, Little Dot Studios and BET.