The long-running television show Home and Away will no longer air new episodes on Channel 5 as part of a strategic shift towards streaming. This change, effective from January 2026, marks a significant transition for the popular series that has held a regular daytime slot at 1:45 PM for many years. Fans will now need to turn to the network’s streaming app to watch episodes on demand, starting January 2, 2026.
Channel 5 has announced that the decision to move Home and Away exclusively to streaming for daytime viewing reflects a broader trend in audience preferences. In a formal statement, the channel emphasized that this shift aims to enhance viewer flexibility. The show will still be available in the evening on 5Star, with new episodes scheduled to air at 6:30 PM, alongside a repeat of the previous day’s episode at 6 PM.
Greg Barnett, Commissioning Editor at Channel 5, highlighted the success of the show on streaming platforms. He stated, “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.” This shift to a stream-first strategy is intended to align with how audiences today engage with their favorite content.
The current season of Home and Away concluded last week, with the first episode of the new year set to be available for streaming from 6 AM on January 2. As the landscape of television viewing continues to evolve, Channel 5’s focus on digital platforms indicates a significant transformation in how traditional programming is consumed.
This move reflects broader changes in the entertainment industry, where streaming services are increasingly becoming the primary means of viewing for many audiences. As Home and Away transitions away from its long-standing daytime slot, it will be interesting to see how fans adapt to this new way of engaging with the series.
