By Fiona Ramsay, marketingmagazine.co.uk, 15 June 2009, 12:30pm

Five allows viewers to post TV programmes on their websites

LONDON - Five is letting its viewers use its TV programmes on their own websites, social networks and blogs.

Five said it is the first UK broadcaster to syndicate full episodes of popular programmes for catch-up viewing on third-party websites.

YouTube is also attempting to syndicate content from broadcasters including Five to be able to boost its ad revenues around professional content.

Five expects the initiative, which utilises the Brightcove platform, to generate additional advertising income.

Partner websites and Five's own online properties, such as Five.tv and FiveFWD, the cars and gadgets portal for young males, will be the first websites to benefit from the deal.

Content will be widely available later this year to third-party websites and to consumers who will be able to add embeddable video content to their own favourite websites.

The average length of video content reaches 45 minutes so Five plans to place in-stream advertising in the programmes.