Yahoo News Home and Away to lose evening timeslot on Channel 5 in schedule shake-up
Home and Away's evening repeat screening is being scrapped by Channel 5, Digital Spy can reveal.
The Aussie soap traditionally airs twice a day on the channel, first at 1.15pm and then again at 6pm.
Channel 5 has now confirmed that Home and Away will only air once a day as part of a forthcoming shake-up for the station's evening schedule.
Ofcom has given Channel 5 permission to start broadcasting an hour-long news show at 5pm every evening.
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This means that Neighbours is moving to 6pm, taking Home and Away's regular spot in the schedules.
However, fans who enjoy watching Home and Away in the evening will still be able to tune in for the first look screening at 6.30pm on 5STAR. This is one episode ahead of the Channel 5 airings.
An official date for the changeover has yet to be announced, but it's expected to take place later in the autumn.
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A Channel 5 spokesperson told Digital Spy: "As Channel 5 continues to attract larger audiences, its news output is an ever more crucial part of the offering it creates for viewers.
"Following Ofcom's approval of Channel 5's 5pm News Bulletin expansion, Home and Away will no longer air weekdays at 6pm on Channel 5.
"Home and Away will continue to air weekdays at 1.15pm on Channel 5, and viewers will also still be able to watch their first look on 5STAR at 6.30pm and catch up on My5."
Channel 5 sought Ofcom's permission for the extended 5pm news show as it was required to include at least one news programme in its mid-evening schedule.
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This meant that Channel 5 had two separate news shows at 5pm and 6.30pm. However, the 6.30pm news show will now be scrapped.
In a statement today, Ofcom explained: "Following a consultation, we have approved a request from Channel 5 to change the conditions of its licence relating to its news provision.
"We have considered the range of views submitted by stakeholders and concluded that the changes will continue to meet the objectives for news and current affairs programming requirements set out in the Communications Act 2003.
"Channel 5 requested this change in order to introduce a new one-hour-long news broadcast from 5pm. The change to the licence condition will not affect the total amount of news that Channel 5 is required to broadcast each year."
Home and Away currently airs weekdays at 1.15pm and 6pm on Channel 5 (UK) and Mondays to Thursdays at 7pm on Channel 7 (Australia). Selected classic episodes are available via Amazon Prime Video in the UK.
Read more Home and Away spoilers on our dedicated homepage
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