ITV is closing down channel CITV for good after 42 years

Children’s channel CITV is being turned off for good, having launched in 1980.

The channel was home to hit shows like Art Attack, My Parents Are Aliens, Tots TV, and Fraggle Rock.

However, it has now been reported that CITV will be closed for good on April 10.

ITV is closing down CITV

CITV first began as Watch IT, then was rebranded as Children’s ITV and later shortened to CITV.

In 2006, its late-afternoon slot on ITV1 was axed as it got its own channel on Freeview but was still available on weekend mornings on ITV channels.

The CITV Freeview was later shut down and replaced by the streaming service ITVX Kids Hub on ITVX in 2023, with the weekend showings moving to ITV2.

It has now been claimed by a media account that the ITV2 showings will now be ending, marking the end to CITV after 42 years on air.

Reporting the claims, X account, Media Central UK, wrote: “In TV news, the CITV block on ITV2 is officially ending on 10th April. This really means the end of the iconic CITV brand that has 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.”

Those who grew up with CITV have begun reminiscing on the TV channel and the shows it brought to audiences.

As one X user said, “Grizzly Tales for gruesome kids was awesome on CITV when I was a kid.”

Another former CITV watcher wrote: “End of an era …. I remember watching the Pokémon movies on this channel.”

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A third person said, “I feel bad for CITV’s closure as shows such as Horrid Henry, Rosie and Jim, Art Attack and Sooty (of course) put a smile on my face in my childhood and I had said goodbye to its TV channel too.”

ITV has been contacted for a comment.

What was your favourite show on CITV? Let us know in the comments below.