ITV Announces Permanent Closure of Beloved CITV Channel After 42 Years
ITV is reportedly shutting down one of its most cherished television channels, marking what many are calling an end of an era for British broadcasting. The iconic CITV channel will close permanently after 42 years, with its final broadcast scheduled for April 10 on ITV2.
Historic Channel Helped Launch Careers of Major TV Personalities
Over its four-decade run, CITV played a crucial role in launching the careers of several well-known television personalities, including Stephen Mulhern, Holly Willoughby, and Cat Deeley. The channel also became famous for screening much-loved children's programmes that became cultural touchstones for generations.
Some of the most cherished shows that aired on CITV included:
- Art Attack with Neil Buchanan
- Tots TV
- Horrid Henry
- Wizadora
- Press Gang
- It's a Mystery
- My Parents Are Aliens
Programming to Continue on ITVX Kids and CBBC Platforms
While CITV officially ceased traditional broadcasting in 2023, a programming block showcasing classic shows continued on ITV2. Now, that too is coming to an end. However, the content will live on through other platforms.
A social media announcement confirmed that CBBC will host some of CITV's programming, while the remainder will be available under the ITVX Kids brand. The announcement stated: "This really means the end of the iconic CITV brand that's been around for 42 years. Farewell CITV, this time for real."
Viewers Express Sadness Over Channel's Demise
The news has prompted emotional responses from viewers who grew up with the channel. One devastated fan wrote: "That's actually depressing. CITV was my childhood." Another commented: "End of an era .... I remember watching the Pokémon movies on this channel."
A third viewer reflected on the channel's recent history: "They stopped making original content like 5+ years ago and was just airing shows other places have though. It was such an insult it did not even get a real send off on ITV either."
From Watch IT to Independent Channel: A Brief History
CITV originally launched under the name Watch IT before being renamed Children's ITV, widely known by its abbreviated title CITV. It initially broadcast on ITV during late afternoons, perfectly timed for children returning home from school.
The channel subsequently launched as an independent, round-the-clock free-to-air station in 2006. However, in 2023, it ceased traditional broadcasting and migrated to ITVX, with a programming block continuing on ITV2 until this final closure.
Among its most memorable offerings was Press Gang, created by Doctor Who writer Steven Moffat and featuring Julia Sawalha and Dexter Fletcher. The show, which centered on the workings of a children's newspaper, cultivated a devoted following among older youngsters.
Another programme that viewers fondly recall is It's a Mystery, a magazine-style show in which Art Attack presenter Neil Buchanan introduced tales of unexplained occurrences involving UFOs and ghosts.
My Parents Are Aliens featured Tony Gardner and Carla Mendonça as extraterrestrial parents who had recently adopted three orphaned children, representing yet another fondly remembered offering from the channel that entertained British children for over four decades.
