The Best TV Shows on Channel 5

Every Channel 5 Show Ranked From Best To Worst

Explore our list of the top rated shows up to date from December 2025 that includes over 20 unique series. Icons of Channel 5, Thomas & Friends and Fireman Sam made their debut in 1984 and 1987, setting industry standards. From 1984 through to 2025, Channel 5 has accumulated a diverse collection of over 20 television shows.

  • The Hotel Inspector
    The Hotel Inspector (2005)8.8

    A celebrated hotelier visits a struggling British hotel and tries to turn its fortunes by giving advice and suggestions to the owner.

  • Cooper & Fry
    Cooper & Fry (2025)8.7

    Set in the mystery-shrouded Peak District, the series follows two mismatched young detectives: affable local Ben Cooper and guarded newcomer Diane Fry. Thrown together to investigate a string of mysterious deaths they must learn to work together to get results. As their personal lives begin to intertwine, a unique friendship begins to form... but it won't always be easy.

  • Mayday
    Mayday (2003)8.2

    Major real-life air disasters are depicted in this series. Each episode features a detailed dramatized reconstruction of the incident based on cockpit voice recorders and air traffic control transcripts, as well as eyewitnesses recounts and interviews with aviation experts.

  • All Creatures Great & Small
    All Creatures Great & Small (2020)8.2

    The heartwarming and humorous adventures of a young country vet in the Yorkshire Dales in the 1930s. A remake of the 1978 series.

  • The Adventures of Paddington
    The Adventures of Paddington (2019)7.8

    Journey to London for heart-warming adventures with beloved British bear Paddington in this CG-animated series, which centres on a younger Paddington as he writes letters to Aunt Lucy celebrating the new things he has discovered through the day’s exciting activities.

  • Police Interceptors
    Police Interceptors (2008)7.7

    Documentary series profiling the work of high-speed police units across Britain.

  • Can't Pay? We'll Take It Away!
    Can't Pay? We'll Take It Away! (2014)7.4

    Camera follow teams of High Court Enforcement Agents, dealing with the execution of High Court Writs.

  • The Tribe
    The Tribe (1999)6.9

    The Tribe is a New Zealand/British post-apocalyptic fictional TV series primarily aimed at teenagers. It is set in a near-future in which all adults have been wiped out by a deadly virus, leaving the children of the world to fend for themselves. The show's focus is on an unnamed city inhabited by tribes of children and teenagers. It was primarily filmed in and around Wellington, New Zealand. The series was created by Raymond Thompson and Harry Duffin and was developed and produced by the Cloud 9 Screen Entertainment Group in conjunction with the UK's Channel 5. It has aired on over 40 broadcast networks around the world.

  • Thomas & Friends
    Thomas & Friends (1984)6.8

    Thomas & Friends is a British children's television series, which had its first broadcast on the ITV network on 4 September 1984. It is based on The Railway Series of books by the Reverend Wilbert Awdry and his son, Christopher Awdry. These books deal with the adventures of a group of anthropomorphised locomotives and road vehicles who live on the fictional Island of Sodor. The books were based on stories Wilbert told to entertain his son, Christopher during his recovery from measles. From Series one to four, many of the stories are based on events from Awdry's personal experience.

  • Peppa Pig
    Peppa Pig (2004)6.6

    Peppa Pig is an energetic piggy who lives with Mummy, Daddy, and little brother George. She loves to jump in mud puddles and make loud snorting noises.

  • Car Pound Cops: Give Me My Car Back!
    Car Pound Cops: Give Me My Car Back! (2021)6.5

    Following the dramatic work of recovery crews as they trace, track and tow vehicles driven illegally on Britain's roads. With access to two recovery companies, featuring the action from the moment they are called in, to the trucks arriving on scene.

  • Fireman Sam
    Fireman Sam (1987)6.1

    Follow the adventures of fireman Sam and his colleagues as they protect the citizens of the Welsh town of Pontypandy. Whenever the alarm sounds, brave Sam and his co-workers can be counted on to jump into a fire engine, hop onto a helicopter, or even launch an inflatable lifeboat to battle blazes, mount rescue missions, or provide medical attention to those in need.

  • Ben & Holly's Little Kingdom
    Ben & Holly's Little Kingdom (2009)5.4

    The friendship between fairy princess Holly and Ben Elf in an enchanted magical kingdom of elves and fairies.

  • A Girl's Guide to 21st Century Sex
    A Girl's Guide to 21st Century Sex (2006)5.0

    A Girl's Guide to 21st Century Sex is a documentary TV series about sex, which ran in eight episodes on Channel 5 and was presented by Dr Catherine Hood. The 45-minute long episodes were broadcast on Monday nights. The series started on 30 October 2006, with the final programme broadcast on 18 December 2006. Each episode explained a sex position and covered a sexually transmitted disease. Additionally, the following topics were discussed: sex among handicapped and overweight people, penis enlargement devices, penis enlargement surgery, sexual violence against men and penis removal, tantric sex, the g-spot, erectile dysfunction, sex reassignment surgery, cosmetic surgery of the vagina, swinging, lichen sclerosus, the use of recreational drugs during sex, male homosexual sex in public toilets, full body plastic wrap bondage, and sex dolls.

  • Celebrity Big Brother
    Celebrity Big Brother (2001)4.9

    Celebrity Big Brother is a British reality television game show in which a number of celebrity contestants live in an isolated house trying to avoid being evicted by the public with the aim of winning a large cash prize being donated to the winner's nominated charity at the end of the run.

  • Big Brother's Bit on the Side
    Big Brother's Bit on the Side (2011)4.9

    The place to catch up on all things Big Brother UK! Join Emma Willis for the best mix of exclusive clips, news and reactions from the house, plus celebrity guests and live debates in the studio.

  • Big Brother
    Big Brother (2000)4.3

    A British reality television game show in which a number of contestants live in an isolated house for several weeks, trying to avoid being evicted by the public with the aim of winning a large cash prize at the end of the run.

  • The Forsytes
    The Forsytes (2025)3.1

    Chronicles the lives of four generations of an upper-class family of stockbrokers, set against the backdrop of a rapidly evolving late-Victorian world.

  • Call the Bailiffs: Time to Pay Up
    Call the Bailiffs: Time to Pay Up (2021)3.0

    Following the work of enforcement agents as they execute High Court writs on behalf of people desperate to recover money they are owed.

  • Family Affairs
    Family Affairs (1997)2.6

    Focuses on the lives of residents in the fictional London suburb of Charnham.