Warner Bros. Discovery has quietly begun uploading full episodes of the cult classic sci-fi series Babylon 5 to YouTube for free viewing, starting with the pilot and select Season 1 installments, as the show departs from ad-supported streamer Tubi.
The rollout kicked off in late January 2026 with “The Gathering,” the 1993 pilot episode that introduces the sprawling space station saga set in 2257 CE, followed by “Soul Hunter” (Season 1, Episode 3) and “Born to the Purple” (Season 1, Episode 4). Notably, “Midnight on the Firing Line” (Season 1, Episode 2) has not yet appeared, leaving a gap in the sequence.
The episodes are hosted on the ClipZone: Beyond Infinity channel, affiliated with Warner Bros., and include links to purchase the full series digitally. Viewers can watch ad-supported content, blending free access with monetization opportunities for the studio.
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At the current pace of one episode per week, uploading the entire five-season run, 110 episodes plus the pilot, could stretch until March 2028, mimicking the show’s original weekly broadcast format from the 1990s. The strategy appears designed to reintroduce the series to new audiences while sustaining engagement over time. Babylon 5, created by J. Michael Straczynski, originally aired from 1993 to 1998 and remains a landmark for its serialized storytelling in sci-fi television.
The shift to YouTube coincides with the show’s removal from Tubi, where all five seasons were available until February 10, 2026. Warner Bros. Discovery’s move leverages YouTube’s massive reach to potentially revive interest in the franchise, which has maintained a dedicated fanbase despite limited streaming availability in recent years.
As streaming services cycle classic content, this YouTube strategy could inspire similar releases for other archived shows, but the slow drip-feed might frustrate binge-watchers in an era dominated by on-demand viewing.
