ITV's children's channel CITV is officially closing after 42 years on air, with its final broadcast scheduled for 10 April. The channel, which launched in the 1980s as Watch IT before becoming Children's ITV and later CITV, was home to iconic shows such as Art Attack, My Parents Are Aliens, Tots TV and Fraggle Rock.
CITV was aimed at five- to 12-year-olds and became known for its afternoon slot, featuring presenters including Cat Deeley, Stephen Mulhern and Holly Willoughby. The programming originally aired on ITV1 until 2006, when it moved to its own Freeview channel, while continuing weekend morning broadcasts on ITV.
In September 2023, ITV announced a shift to a digital-first approach, removing CITV from Freeview and replacing it with the ITVX Kids Hub. Weekend broadcasts moved to ITV2 at that time. However, Media Central UK reported on 3 April that the ITV2 block would end on 10 April, marking the final disappearance of the CITV brand from television.
Viewers reacted with nostalgia, calling it the 'end of an era' and reminiscing about childhood memories. One person said: 'Thanks for the memories, but it's time to say goodbye. What memories, what a childhood.' Another added: 'Farewell CITV. That was my childhood.'
ITV stated that the move responds to changing viewing habits, with children and parents increasingly accessing content via streaming. CBBC will acquire some CITV programming, while the rest will be available under the ITVX Kids hub.
