↑ arvau

Wikipedia / Milkshake!

Milkshake! (stylised as milkshake!) is a British children's television programming block on Channel 5. Originally launched in 1997, it is currently aimed at children aged 2 to 7 and typically broadcasts from early morning till late morning.

The block features a mix of original UK series and imported shows, primarily from Australia, Canada, and the United States. Over the years, Milkshake! has included popular programmes such as Peppa Pig, Thomas & Friends, and Fireman Sam.

It has been produced by various entities, including Channel 5 and, formerly, the BBC and Fremantle. The block continues to be a key part of Channel 5’s children’s programming.

History

The block debuted on Channel 5 on 31st March 1997 and is currently broadcast on weekdays from 05:40 to 09:15 and weekends from 5:40am to 9:55am (9:50am on Sundays). The block has a number of presenters and features a range of children's programming.

Programmes for older children also aired from 1997 to 2002 and again from 2007 to 2016 on spin-off block Shake!, which, in its time, 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 of Milkshake! that launched on 24 July, including updated branding, a new studio, and the launch of a YouTube channel that would feature digital content related to the block.

TV channel

In November 2008, Channel 5 had been set to launch a new children's channel based on its pre-school programming block. This was a response to the BBC launching the CBBC channel and CBeebies in 2002 and ITV launching the CITV channel in 2006, but plans to launch a standalone preschool channel were put on hold indefinitely while the broadcaster awaited a buyer.

Milkshake! on 5Star

When Five Life launched in 2006, Milkshake! was shown on the channel between 9am and 1pm each day. By April 2011, the channel had reduced its broadcast hours and the block was replaced by teleshopping. On 21 August 2017, Milkshake! relaunched on 5Star, where it aired from 9:15am to 11am, before a 2nd removal in 2018.

FAST Channel

A Milkshake! branded FAST channel is available on the 5 streaming service. This FAST channel would later launch on Freely in July 2026.

Programming

Current programming

Programming from Nick Jr. (U.S.)

Other acquired programming

Former programming

Programming from Cartoon Network (U.S.)

Programming from Playhouse Disney (U.S.)

Other acquired programming

Programming originally produced for or aired on PBS Kids

Notable presenters

In-vision continuity presenters have been utilised by Milkshake! since the show began on 31 March 1997. The original presenters were Lucy Alexander and Konnie Huq. Huq was replaced by former Nickelodeon presenter Eddie Mathews when she left the show to join the BBC as a Blue Peter presenter. The longest-serving presenter is Kemi Majeks, who has presented the block for over 26 years. Relief and freelance presenters have also anchored Milkshake! continuity links, including presenter Ellie Harrison and deaf presenter Gary Evans. After Beth Evans & Naomi Wilkinson left in 2010, they continued to do British Sign Language interpretation for the other hosts until August 2011. Evans made 1 more appearance in a pre-recorded "Handshake" segment on the Milkshake! website in 2012.

List of presenters

  • Amy Thompson (2009–2023)

  • Andrew McEwan (2006–2007)

  • Anna Williamson (1997–2005)

  • Beth Evans (2003–2010)

  • Casey-Lee Jolleys (1997–2000)

  • Curtis Angus (2014–2017)

  • Dave Payne (2007–2009)

  • David Ribi (2017–present)

  • Derek Moran (2007–present)

  • Eddie Mathews (1997–2002)

  • Gary Evans (2008–2009)

  • Hannah Williams (2006–2009)

  • Harley Bird as Peppa Pig (2013–2020)

  • Helena Smee as Milkshake Monkey (2009–present)

  • Jen Pringle (2006–present)

  • Jodie Penfold (2001)

  • Kemi Majeks (1999–present)

  • Kiera-Nicole Brennan (2017–present)

  • Konnie Huq (1997–2000)

  • Lucy Alexander (1997–2000)

  • Naomi Wilkinson (2000–2010)

  • Nathan Connor (2017–2023)

  • Olivia Birchenough (2012–present)

  • Sita Thomas (2015–2023)

References