ITV Strand Ending for Good after 42 Years

After 42 amazing years of bringing us some of the best kids’ TV shows, CITV is reportedly saying goodbye for good. Since 1980, this ITV programming block has been home to shows like Tots TV, Fraggle Rock, Art Attack, and My Parents Are Aliens, launching the careers of presenters like Holly Willoughby, Cat Deeley, and Stephen Mulhern.

Originally known as Watch IT, CITV was later rebranded as Children’s ITV, or CITV for short. It used to air on ITV in the late afternoons, perfect for kids coming home from school. In 2006, its late-afternoon slot was cut, but CITV got its own channel on Freeview and also aired on ITV during weekend mornings. Eventually, the CITV Freeview channel closed down and was replaced by an ITVX Kids hub on ITV’s streaming service in 2023, with the weekend morning block moving to ITV2.

Recently, news broke that the ITV2 block would be coming to an end on 10 April, marking the end of the iconic CITV brand that’s been around for over four decades. Some of CITV’s shows will move to rival kids’ programming strand CBBC, while the rest will stay on ITVX Kids.

Fans who grew up with CITV were heartbroken by the news, with many sharing memories of how the channel was a huge part of their childhood. With shows like “My Parents Are Aliens,” CITV created memories that will last a lifetime and shaped the childhoods of many.

We reached out to ITV for comment on the situation, so stay tuned for updates. And let’s not forget iconic CITV shows like Wizadora, Press Gang, Grizzly Tales for Gruesome Kids, and It’s a Mystery. These shows entertained, thrilled, and sometimes even scared us, leaving a lasting impression on many. From the adventures of a children’s newspaper in Press Gang to the cautionary tales in Grizzly Tales for Gruesome Kids, CITV brought us some unforgettable moments.

As we bid farewell to CITV, let’s take a moment to appreciate the memories and impact this beloved channel has had on generations of viewers. Whether you’re a fan of the classics or discovering them for the first time, CITV’s legacy will live on in the hearts of those who grew up with its fantastic lineup of shows.