Anyone who uses Freeview to access the usual batch of TV channels will find one service from ITV has gone missing this week. It’s been confirmed that the CITV children’s service is no longer being broadcast over the airwaves. CITV first launched all the way back in 1983 but after 40 years on screens, it seems its time as part of terrestrial telly has come to an end.
“From 2nd September 2023 the CITV channel will no longer be broadcasting on Freeview,” the service confirmed in a blog post. Along with Freeview, CITV will also now be absent from platforms including Sky Q and Virgin Media.
Although that’s bad news for those who have enjoyed seeing this channel on their daily planner, luckily there is still a way to watch.
Content aimed at younger viewers has now moved to an online streaming platform called ITVX Kids. This is available via the app that’s available on most smart TVs, phones and tablets.
“The ITVX Kids homepage is accessible within child-safe ITVX kids profile on the ITVX app, offering more than 1,000 hours of programming,” Freeview added.
The ITVX Kids service is totally free to watch, you’ll just need a broadband connection to tune in. That’s because instead of coming into homes via an aerial, everything is streamed over the web.
It’s thought, that ITV has closed the CITV channel due to dwindling numbers with most younger viewers now opting for online viewing instead.
Although CITV has gone from Freeview, there are some new channels launching on the service including That’s 90s (channel 86) and Zee World (channel 278).
There’s also a boost with three services coming to more homes across the UK which include GREAT! tv+1, GREAT! Movies +1 and GREAT! Romance +1.
