Home and Away will no longer air new episodes on Channel 5's daytime schedule, as the Australian soap shifts to a streaming-first strategy. From January 2, episodes will be available on demand from 6am, with a double bill airing at 6pm on 5Star.
Channel 5 confirmed the change, stating that the soap is 'moving exclusively to streaming for daytime viewing'. Viewers who want to watch during the day must use the 5 streaming platform. The previous day's episode will air on 5Star at 6pm, followed by the latest episode at 6.30pm.
Greg Barnett, Commissioning Editor at Channel 5, said: 'Home and Away has been a phenomenal success for us on streaming. Viewers have fully embraced the flexibility of on-demand viewing, driving double-digit year-on-year growth and making streaming the preferred way to watch the show.'
The move follows the departure of iconic character Irene Roberts, played by Lynne McGranger, earlier this year. Irene arrived as a villain but later turned her life around, becoming a foster parent. Her final storyline involved an Alzheimer's diagnosis.
