Milkshake!
Pre-school programming block on Channel 5 since 1997.
Milkshake! is a British children's television programming block on Channel 5, aimed at children aged 2 to 7. It debuted in 1997 and broadcasts from early morning till late morning, featuring a mix of original UK series and imported shows from Australia, Canada, and the United States. The block has included popular programmes such as Peppa Pig, Thomas & Friends, and Fireman Sam.
Quick Facts
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Language
- English
- Headquarters
- London
- Parent
- Paramount Networks UK & Australia
- Channel
- 5; 5Star (2006–2011, 2017–2018); 5 (streaming service)
- Sister
- 5, 5Star, 5USA, 5Select, 5Action
- Premiered
- 31 March 1997
Facts from the source article.
History
The block debuted on Channel 5 on 31st March 1997 and currently broadcasts on weekdays from 05:40 to 09:15 and weekends from 5:40am to 9:55am (9:50am on Sundays). Programmes for older children aired from 1997 to 2002 and again from 2007 to 2016 on a spin-off block called Shake!, which ran on weekends after Milkshake!. Following Viacom's acquisition of Channel 5 in 2014, the block began airing Nick Jr. programmes including Paw Patrol, Blaze and the Monster Machines, and Shimmer and Shine. On 6 July 2017, Channel 5 announced a rebranding that launched on 24 July, including updated branding, a new studio, and a YouTube channel. In November 2008, Channel 5 had planned to launch a children's channel based on the block, but plans were put on hold. When Five Life launched in 2006, Milkshake! aired on that channel between 9am and 1pm daily; by April 2011 the block was replaced by teleshopping. On 21 August 2017, Milkshake! relaunched on 5Star, airing from 9:15am to 11am, before a second removal in 2018. A Milkshake! branded FAST channel is available on the 5 streaming service and later launched on Freely in July 2026.
Notable presenters
Since its launch on 31 March 1997, Milkshake! has featured in-vision continuity presenters. The first hosts were Lucy Alexander and Konnie Huq. When Huq left for Blue Peter, former Nickelodeon star Eddie Mathews took over. Kemi Majeks is the longest-serving host, with over 26 years on the block. Relief presenters have included Ellie Harrison and deaf presenter Gary Evans. After Beth Evans and Naomi Wilkinson departed in 2010, they kept doing British Sign Language interpretation for other hosts until August 2011.
More in Breakfast Television in the United Kingdom
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