The End of an Era for Children’s ITV
In the early 1980s, a channel was launched by ITV that would become a beloved home to some of the most iconic children’s shows. Now, after 42 years on air, the channel has officially ended for good, marking the end of an era for many fans.
Originally called Watch It!, the channel was later rebranded as Children’s ITV, or CITV. Over the years, it became a staple for young viewers, hosting shows like My Parents are Aliens, Tots TV, Horrid Henry, and Art Attack. However, with its final broadcast, fans have been left heartbroken, expressing their sadness online with messages such as “This is my childhood.”
The Sun reported that CITV has officially ceased to air in its usual segment on ITV2, leaving many feeling nostalgic for the days when the channel was a key part of their childhood.
CITV content originally aired in the late afternoon on ITV, but this slot was axed in 2006. From then on, the channel was only shown on weekend mornings or via its new Freeview channel. In 2023, the CITV Freeview channel came to an end, and the weekend morning block was moved to ITV2. Content was also made available on the ITVX Kids hub.
Currently, the kids’ programming slot on ITV2 starts at 6am, featuring classic cartoons like Scooby-Doo! and Looney Tunes. However, as of this Saturday, these shows will no longer be available on the channel. Instead, viewers can watch Project Bakeover and Backyard Builds, which may not be as appealing to younger audiences.
Families with smart TVs, streaming devices, casting options from phones or tablets, or certain games consoles or TV boxes can stream ITVX Kids onto their big screens. Others may have to settle for watching on smaller devices.
For many, the news of CITV’s closure hit hard. One fan, @pheestalgia, wrote on X: “I fear CITV closing for good is gonna be the final nail in the coffin for linear kids tv and I will not take it well istg.” This sentiment was echoed by others who expressed concern over the lack of investment in children’s programming.
Linear channels like CBBC still exist, but other channels have shut down in recent years. POP and Tiny Pop closed before Christmas in 2025 after launching in 2003, raising concerns about the future of children’s television.
@BigHitsTV1 shared similar worries, writing: “Really feel sad for today’s children. Absolutely nothing on for them. When you think we had Children’s Ward, Grange Hill, Byker Grove, Press Gang, Art Attack to name a few plus all the best cartoons.”
Fans also mourned the shows that made CITV so special. @CoffeeJezus praised My Parents Are Aliens as “one of the funniest TV shows I’ve seen,” noting that it still holds up today. Many expressed a desire for a Blu-Ray release of the show.
CITV also played a significant role in launching the careers of several notable figures. Jesse Armstrong, creator of Succession, was credited as a writer during the show’s early days, along with his writing partner Sam Bain. The channel also helped launch the careers of presenters like Stephen Mulhern, Cat Deeley, and Holly Willoughby during the late 90s and early 00s.
While the future of children’s programming remains uncertain, the legacy of CITV lives on in the hearts of those who grew up watching its shows. As the channel closes its doors, fans continue to remember the joy and nostalgia it brought to their childhoods.
