CITV originally launched in 1983 as an afternoon segment on ITV before moving to its own channel in 2006. The standalone CITV channel closed in 2023. ITV has now moved its entire slate of children's programming to its streaming platform ITVX, with a dedicated destination called ITVX Kids, which will serve as the new home for children’s content. A media industry commentator noted that CITV is coming to an end, with the CITV block on ITV2 ending on April 10 and the new home being ITVX Kids. This transition reflects broader industry trends toward digital consumption, though ITV has not provided an official statement regarding the closure of CITV or the specific financial or strategic reasons behind the shift to ITVX Kids.
CITV has been the home of many British TV classics and kickstarted the careers of stars such as Holly Willoughby, Ant and Dec, and Stephen Mulhern. However, ITV struggled to match the BBC when it came to Saturday morning programming for years. The channel's legacy spans decades, with fans expressing nostalgia online.
That's actually depressing. Citv was my childhood.
In response to its Saturday morning challenges, ITV launched SMTV: Live in 1998, hosted by Ant and Dec and Cat Deeley. The show featured sketches and segments including Eat My Goal and Wonky Donkey, and one of its most legendary moments came during their Friends spoof Chums, with Dec set to 'marry' Cat in front of a star-studded audience. Ant, Dec, and Cat departed SMTV: Live in 2001, after which the show continued to air with new hosts such as Brian Dowling, Tess Daly, and Stephen Mulhern until it ended for good in 2003. In 2021, Ant, Dec, and Cat reunited for a one-off Chums sketch in honour of SMTV's belated anniversary.
Among CITV's most enduring programs was Art Attack, which became one of its most long-running shows, hitting the network in 1990 and airing for 17 years. Hosted by art guru-turned rock musician Neil Buchanan, the show included a 'Big Art Attack' segment produced on a grand life-size scale. Neil Buchanan was also the subject of a conspiracy theory from users believing he was the anonymous street artist Banksy.
End of an era …. I remember watching the Pokémon movies on this channel.
Currently, CITV still existed with its own dedicated block on digital channel ITV2 each day after the channel closure, but this block will officially end on April 10. Another media industry commentator noted that this means the end of the iconic CITV brand, with CBBC having some of CITV's programming while the rest will be under ITVX Kids. It remains unclear what specific shows from CITV will move to CBBC versus ITVX Kids, and why ITV decided to end the CITV block on ITV2 on April 10 specifically. Additionally, the number of viewers still watching the CITV block on ITV2 before its closure has not been confirmed.
This channel was my childhood, loved switching it on in the mornings before school, it will be missed.
End of an era.