Big news is shaking up Summer Bay in the UK as Channel 5 confirms a major programming shake-up for Home and Away. Fans who have relied on

the soap’s familiar daytime slot for years will need to adapt: from January 2026, Home and Away will no longer air in its long-standing 1.45pm slot on 5. Instead,

Channel 5 is moving the show into a new era, focusing on streaming-first access for daytime viewers, while keeping evening broadcasts on 5Star.

For years, Home and Away has been a daytime staple in the UK, offering loyal fans a chance to escape into the sun-soaked drama of Summer Bay. From the coastal heartbreaks of Cash Newman and Roo Stewart to the tangled family dramas of the Paratas and Mathesons, the show has carved out a beloved spot in viewers’ daily routines. However, with changing audience habits, Channel 5 is taking bold steps to embrace the on-demand revolution.

Starting January 2026, episodes released during the day will be exclusively available via Channel 5’s streaming app. Viewers eager to catch the latest twists in Summer Bay will be able to access new episodes from 6am, a move designed to give fans the flexibility to watch when it suits them, rather than being tied to the traditional afternoon schedule. Evening broadcasts will remain a fixture on 5Star, with the latest episode airing at 6.30pm and a chance to catch up on the previous day’s edition just half an hour earlier at 6pm.

This shift is the result of careful planning and a response to evolving viewing habits. Channel 5 reports that streaming numbers for Home and Away have been climbing steadily, particularly since the network began releasing episodes online at 6am every weekday earlier this year. In the first month alone, viewing hours via streaming rose by 17% compared to the previous year, signaling a clear appetite among fans for early access to Summer Bay’s latest drama.

“This momentum has continued throughout the year, with each month outperforming its counterpart from the previous year,” the network stated. “Audiences have now become accustomed to accessing the title via streaming, with the latest month delivering record-breaking engagement and a 23% year-on-year increase in viewing hours.”

Greg Barnett, Commissioning Editor at Channel 5, explained the rationale behind the move: “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. Moving daytime episodes exclusively to streaming is a natural next step, reflecting how audiences want to engage with their favourite content.”

For viewers, this change represents both a challenge and an opportunity. While the convenience of tuning in at 1.45pm will disappear, fans will gain the ability to watch episodes at any time, pause, rewind, and binge entire storylines. This is particularly relevant for long-running story arcs, which often unfold over weeks and involve multiple intertwined plotlines. Streaming allows viewers to experience drama in a more immersive, uninterrupted way, making it easier to follow complex narratives involving characters such as Harper Matheson, Tane Parata, and Cash Newman.

The move also reflects the broader industry trend of traditional television pivoting to digital platforms. Across the globe, soaps and serial dramas are embracing on-demand viewing, allowing networks to reach audiences who may no longer be available during daytime broadcast windows. For Home and Away, which has thrived for decades thanks to its engaging storylines and charismatic ensemble cast, this transition positions the show to capture a younger, digitally savvy audience while maintaining its loyal fanbase.

Channel 5 is keen to reassure fans that the soap’s future is secure. The network has a life-of-series deal with Home and Away, guaranteeing ongoing production and broadcasting. While the shift to streaming represents a significant change in viewing habits, the network emphasizes that it solidifies the show’s central role in Channel 5’s strategy. “These new changes cement the show’s place at the heart of 5’s streaming strategy after a year of record-breaking engagement,” the network confirmed, highlighting its commitment to keeping Summer Bay at the forefront of UK soap drama.

For returning viewers, the transition begins as Home and Away resumes from its Christmas break on Friday 2 January. Fans can access the first episode via streaming from 6am, with the evening double bill scheduled to air on 5Star from 6pm. Those who rely on traditional daytime viewing will need to adapt, but the flexibility offered by streaming promises to enhance the experience for fans eager to dive into Summer Bay’s ever-evolving storylines.

The shift also dovetails with a period of heightened drama within the soap itself. As 2026 unfolds, viewers can expect major storylines that push characters to new emotional heights, from Harper Matheson grappling with devastating family revelations to Tane Parata navigating complex relationships and personal struggles. By placing daytime viewing online, Channel 5 ensures that fans can keep up with these high-stakes narratives without missing a beat.

Behind the scenes, the move is also a logistical win for Channel 5. Streaming platforms provide valuable insights into viewer behavior, allowing networks to measure engagement more accurately than traditional ratings systems. By migrating Home and Away to streaming for daytime, Channel 5 can analyze how audiences respond to story arcs, character developments, and special episodes, which in turn informs creative decisions and scheduling.

The transition also underscores the growing importance of digital-first strategies in the UK television market. With on-demand access becoming the standard, audiences increasingly expect the ability to watch their favourite shows at any time. For long-running soaps like Home and Away, which rely on serialized storytelling, streaming ensures that fans remain fully invested and engaged, while offering opportunities to expand the show’s reach beyond its traditional daytime audience.

While the change may take some adjustment, Channel 5 is confident that fans will embrace the new format. Streaming allows for binge-watching, catch-up viewing, and greater flexibility, meaning audiences can engage with Home and Away in ways that traditional TV scheduling never allowed. The move is part of a broader strategy to position Channel 5 as a leader in digital-first soap storytelling, ensuring that Summer Bay remains a fixture in UK homes for years to come.

Ultimately, the shift represents both a challenge and an evolution. Daytime viewers who have followed Home and Away for decades may need to rethink their routines, but the opportunities offered by streaming — early access, flexible viewing, and full control over the soap’s rich, dramatic narratives — promise a more immersive and satisfying experience. With record-breaking engagement and the promise of compelling storylines ahead, the future of Summer Bay has never looked brighter.

In conclusion, while Channel 5’s decision to remove Home and Away from its traditional daytime slot marks the end of an era, it also ushers in a new chapter in the soap’s storied history. By embracing streaming-first access, the network ensures that fans can continue to follow the drama, romance, and intrigue of Summer Bay on their terms, all while keeping the evening broadcasts as a familiar anchor for long-time viewers. The move is both a reflection of changing viewer habits and a strategic step forward for one of the UK’s most beloved soaps.

Home and Away may be leaving its familiar daytime home on 5, but the drama of Summer Bay is set to thrive, evolve, and captivate audiences like never before — wherever and whenever they choose to watch.