ITV viewers, listen up! After more than 40 years of delivering some of the network's most memorable shows, CITV is reportedly being shut down for good.
The children's channel first launched in the 1980s and became home to iconic shows including Art Attack, My Parents Are Aliens, Tots TV and Fraggle Rock.
© Getty ImagesInitially named Watch IT, the strand was later rebranded as Children's ITV, before being shortened to what viewers now know as CITV. It was aimed at five- to 12-year-olds, according to the BBC.
CITV became particularly well known for its afternoon slot, aimed at children returning home from school, and featured popular British presenters including Cat Deeley, Stephen Mulhern and Holly Willoughby.
What is happening with CITV?
The programming aired on ITV1 until 2006, when it was moved to its own dedicated Freeview channel, while also continuing to air on weekend mornings on ITV.
In September 2023, ITV announced a shift towards a more digital-first approach, removing CITV from Freeview and replacing it with the ITVX Kids Hub, with weekend broadcasts moving to ITV2.
© Getty ImagesAt the time, ITV told Sky News: "This new streaming approach [is] responding to the changing ways children and their parents are increasingly accessing content."
However, on 3 April, Media Central UK reported on X that the ITV2 broadcasts are set to come to an end, signalling the final time CITV will be shown on air.
"In TV news, the CITV block on ITV2 is officially ending on 10th April," the statement read. "This really means the end of the iconic CITV brand that's been around for 42 years.
"Farewell CITV, this time for real. CBBC will have some of CITV's programming while the rest will be under ITVX Kids."
Viewers react to the news
Viewers were quick to share their thoughts, with many calling it the "end of an era" and reminiscing about nostalgic shows.
© Getty Images"I remember watching Art Attack from this Channel on ABC TV here in Australia. Such a shame," said one person, while another penned: "End of an era …. I remember watching the Pokémon movies on this channel."
A third person said: "Thanks for the memories, but it's time to say goodbye. What memories, what a childhood," while a fourth echoed: "Farewell CITV. That was my childhood x."
