About My5
As someone who often misses shows when they air, I’ve been using the My5 app for a few months to catch up on Channel 5’s lineup. It’s my go-to for everything from documentaries like “Inside the Supermarket” to binging series like “The Hotel Inspector.” While it gets the job done for free content, my time with it has been a mix of genuine enjoyment and some real frustration.
Features & Highlights
The main draw is, of course, the free library of Channel 5, 5STAR, and 5USA content. I find the “Watch Live” feature perfect for when I hear a show is starting and I’m away from my TV—I just pull out my phone. The ability to download episodes is a lifesaver for my commute on the tube where the signal drops. I’ve built up a decent watchlist of documentaries, and the app does try to recommend similar stuff, though it’s not always on point. A feature I didn’t expect to use but now rely on is the resume playback across devices; I started an episode on my iPad in the kitchen and finished it on my phone later without hunting for my spot.
User Experience
Let’s be honest, the app feels a bit clunky. Just last week, I tried to scroll through the “Most Popular” section and it stuttered badly, making me overshoot what I wanted to click. The menus are straightforward enough—Home, Live, Guide, My Stuff—but the overall responsiveness isn’t great. On the flip side, when it works, it’s simple. Searching for a specific show is easy, and hitting the big “Play” button on the home screen’s featured content starts streaming instantly. The worst moment was when an ad froze during a crucial scene in “The Yorkshire Vet,” and I had to force-close the app to get it going again. It doesn’t happen every day, but often enough to notice.
Pricing
The app is completely free to download and use. There’s no subscription fee or premium tier, which is its biggest selling point. The trade-off is ad-supported viewing. You’ll get ad breaks, similar to traditional TV, both before and during your programs. For me, the ads are a fair price to pay for free access to this much content. I wouldn’t say it’s “worth it” in a premium sense, but as a free service, it provides solid value if you’re a fan of Channel 5’s channels and can tolerate the occasional technical hiccup and ad breaks.
Updates & Support
Updates seem to roll out every few months, usually with generic “bug fixes and performance improvements” notes. I haven’t noticed any major new features from recent updates, just slight variations in the same stability issues. As for support, it’s virtually non-existent for the average user. There’s a help section on their website with FAQs, but for specific app glitches, there’s no direct in-app way to report problems. You’re left hoping the next update fixes your particular issue. It feels like the app is in maintenance mode rather than being actively improved.
Security & Privacy
I downloaded My5 directly from the official Apple App Store. The app requires you to create an account with an email to sync watchlists and history across devices. Their privacy policy states they collect viewing data to personalise ads and recommendations. This is pretty standard for a free, ad-supported service. The ads themselves are clearly targeted—after watching a few home renovation shows, I started seeing ads for DIY stores. If you’re not comfortable with that level of tracking, this isn’t the app for you. There’s no option for a paid, ad-free experience.