Media Headliner: Five's landlady finally plays digital catch-up.

The chief executive of five, Jane Lighting, is adamant the channel hasn't missed the digital boat, Darren Davidson writes.

In just over one week's time, five will belatedly enter the multi-channel market. On Sunday 15 October and Monday 16 October, it will launch two spin-off channels: five Life and five US.

Five was launched almost ten years ago as a 'mainstream modern channel'. Since then, its terrestrial rivals have built up a head of steam, transplanting their brands on to the digital platform. Why has it taken the UK's fifth public-service channel so long to catch up?

The chief executive of five, Jane Lighting, explains that the broadcaster was held back by the consequences of its split ownership, which have kept it at the embryonic stage of media development.

'We had to get to a point where RTL was able to buy out United Business Media. Once that was done, we were able to secure the important Freeview capacity we needed. We didn't just want to have satellite and cable coverage, we wanted universal coverage.'

Five is now benefiting from sole ownership - through the Bertelsmann-owned RTL - after UBM was bought out in September last year. It was RTL which signed off pounds 50 million in investment for the new channels. Lighting sees the role she played in freeing five from the shackles of split ownership as her greatest achievement at the channel so far. The move has clarified ownership, accelerated decision-making and paved the way for investment into a digital future.

'Without getting our shareholder situation sorted out, so much of our future strategy was hard to be clear about. It was a priority to get five into a situation where it could take a long-term view.'