In a move that is already sending shockwaves through its loyal fanbase, Home & Away is preparing for one of the most significant scheduling shake-ups in its decades-long UK broadcast history.

The long-running Australian soap, a daytime television staple for countless viewers, will officially lose its traditional weekday afternoon slot on Channel 5 as the new year begins.

The announcement marks the end of an era—and the beginning of a bold new phase that reflects changing viewing habits across the nation.

For years, Home & Away has occupied its familiar 1:45 p.m. Channel 5 daytime position, becoming a fixture in households across the UK. Whether fans tuned in during lunch breaks, afternoon downtime, or as part of their weekday routine, the Summer Bay drama was always right where viewers expected it to be. But starting this January, the much-loved series is preparing to shift exclusively into the digital realm for daytime audiences.

According to a new report from RadioTimes, Channel 5 has confirmed that Home & Away will transition fully to streaming-only daytime access, directing fans to the network’s on-demand platform for their afternoon fix of Summer Bay drama. For viewers accustomed to the linear broadcast model, the change is nothing short of seismic.

In an official statement, a Channel 5 spokesperson explained, “The show is moving exclusively to streaming for daytime viewing,” clarifying that fans who still prefer to watch during the day will now need to access episodes via the network’s streaming service. On-demand viewing will become the sole option for daytime watchers, signaling a firm strategic pivot toward digital-first consumption.

However, not all traditional television viewings will be affected. Channel 5 reassured audiences that the popular 5Star screenings will remain untouched. The digital channel will continue airing new episodes at 6:30 p.m., with an encore opportunity to catch the previous day’s episode at 6 p.m. This means that while daytime broadcast is going dark, early evening linear access remains intact—a small but significant win for viewers uneasy about the shift.

This groundbreaking change didn’t emerge out of nowhere. In March, Channel 5 quietly began experimenting with a new release strategy, making new Home & Away episodes available on its streaming service as early as 6 a.m. every weekday. This move placed the soap ahead of its linear TV broadcast by several hours, giving fans a chance to watch episodes before they ever aired on traditional television. And the results were immediate—and undeniable.

Channel 5 revealed that the rollout’s first month delivered a 17% surge in viewing hours year-on-year, demonstrating a powerful early response to the digital-first distribution model. The network noted that this wasn’t a fleeting trend but a consistent pattern. Month after month, streaming engagement continued to outperform the previous year’s metrics, signaling a profound shift in how audiences were choosing to watch their beloved Australian drama.

As the year progressed, momentum only grew stronger. According to Channel 5’s internal data, Home & Away achieved record-breaking streaming success in its most recent reporting period, boasting a staggering 23% increase in viewing hours compared to the same time last year. These figures proved what executives had hoped: the audience had fully embraced digital viewing.

Greg Barnett, Channel 5’s commissioning editor and one of the key figures shaping the show’s UK distribution strategy, spoke passionately about the transition. “Home and Away has been a phenomenal success for us on streaming,” he said. “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.”

Barnett emphasized that shifting daytime episodes exclusively to the streaming platform wasn’t merely a business decision—it was a reflection of a transformed media landscape. “This is a natural next step,” he explained. “It reflects how audiences want to engage with their favourite content. People want the freedom to watch on their own terms, and Home & Away fits perfectly into that model.”

Indeed, this transition mirrors larger industry trends. Across the globe, broadcasters and networks are adjusting their strategies to keep pace with evolving viewer behavior. Appointment-based television—the classic “tune-in-at-this-time” model—is increasingly giving way to bingeable and flexible formats. Audiences now build their own schedules rather than conforming to broadcast times, and soaps like Home & Away are proving that long-form storytelling thrives in an on-demand world.

Still, despite the undeniable success of the streaming-first initiative, the loss of the 1:45 p.m. daytime broadcast feels like a deeply emotional turning point. For many longtime fans, the time slot was more than a schedule—it was a ritual. Some viewers remember watching during school holidays, others during work breaks or quiet afternoons at home. The change signifies not only the modernization of a format but the closing of a nostalgic chapter.

Industry analysts note that this move underscores Channel 5’s commitment to evolving alongside its audience. By pushing Home & Away further into the digital spotlight, the network is investing in longevity, ensuring that the soap resonates with new and younger viewers while still serving its loyal base. The dual approach of streaming flexibility and continued evening linear broadcasts creates a hybrid model that aims to satisfy a diverse and evolving viewer demographic.

As the new year approaches, fans are preparing for what comes next. While daytime television will undoubtedly feel a bit emptier without Home & Away lighting up the early afternoon schedule, the soap isn’t going anywhere. It’s simply moving—strategically, boldly, and in a way that reflects the future of entertainment. Summer Bay’s stories will still unfold; they’ll just be waiting for viewers whenever they’re ready to press play.

The upcoming shift marks a major milestone for one of TV’s longest-running dramas, and it sets the tone for what might be a widespread industry trend in the years ahead. For now, one thing is certain: Home & Away continues to make waves, both on screen and behind the scenes.