channel 5...

Channel 5 is Britain's last analogue, terrestrial network and has been on air since Easter 1997. It's available to nearly 80% of the population.

It was presented by spicegirls as they were a big hit at the time.

The Broadcasting Act of 1990 required the ITC (Independent Television Commission) to establish a fifth terrestrial channel in the UK. The ITC were required to award the Channel 5 licence on the basis of a competitive tender.

It as also nthe first terrestrial station also available on satellite.

Here are the estimated annual budgets of Britain's commercial network channels:

ITV-£800m

Channel 4-£280m

Channel 5-£110m

Therefore is cheaper to run than other terestrial channels...