Former cast and crew joined fans to pay tribute and say goodbye to iconic children’s channel CITV.
On Friday, September 1, the channel officially closes at 9 p.m., and viewers can say goodbye to a channel that has been on the air for four decades and spawned a slew of legendary children’s shows that have put its American rivals to shame.
The brand originally launched in 1983 as an afternoon segment on ITV before being moved to its own channel in 2006.
Since its debut, CITV has been home to many British TV classics and has boosted the careers of stars such as Holly Willoughby, Ant and Dec and Stephen Mulhern.
The brand is closing so ITV can move its entire range of children’s programming to its streaming platform ITVX, with a dedicated destination called ITVX Kids, which launched in July.
Time to say goodbye: Former cast and crew joined fans to pay tribute and say goodbye to iconic children’s channel CITV
And when they took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share their final goodbyes, a slew of fans and former cast and crew had plenty to say.
Stephen Mulhern, who began his career presenting children’s television programs for CITV, including Finger Tips and Tricky TV, wrote: ‘Hello everyone, CITV started my career in TV, it was an incredibly special time learning the trade of presenting live TV.
“I will be forever grateful for every opportunity it has brought. Great people, great shows and great times x’
Leah Charles-King of A Place in the Sun, who also hosted the show, said: ‘Goodbye #CITV!
‘The end of an era. You launched my TV career almost 25 years ago, as did many who came before and after me. You were my chosen children’s channel growing up and it was a dream to become an @ChildrensITV presenter and be a part of your legacy. You will be missed. #CITVFarewell ❤️
Meanwhile, a producer for the show added, “Sad to hear that CITV is closing today.
’25 years ago this month, I moved to London with no money and no contacts, and landed my first job: launching CITV’s sister channel, Carlton Kids.
“I ended up hosting 200 shows and became their youngest producer. Life is about taking risks.’
Farewell: On Friday, September 1 at 9 p.m., viewers will officially bid farewell to a channel that has been on the air for 40 years and has spawned a slew of legendary children’s programs that have put its American rivals to shame (Holly Willoughby and Stephen Mulhern on Holly and Stephen’s Saturday Showdown on CITV in 2006)
Legendary: Art Attack became one of CITV’s longest-running shows, appearing on the network in 1990 and airing for 17 years, hosted by art guru and rock musician Neil Buchanan
Wacky: Jungle Run, hosted by Dominic Wood, Chris Jarvis and later Michael Underwood, was a regular on CITV for seven years
Fans also shared their reaction.
One wrote: “Aww CiTV closed for the last time today, this is one of my first memories of CiTV and of course the 1998 rebranding with @StephenMulhern and @louddanielle, which seemed so much cooler than CBBC when it launched.”
‘The end of an era. Thanks for the memories CITV, you were incredible. ❤️,” added another.
A third said: ‘CITV dies tonight at 9pm, the surf and the channel. Thank you for the memories and for funding some of my dad’s ideas back then.”
A fourth wrote: ‘I haven’t watched CITV in 15 years but I’m really sad it’s not after 9pm tonight.
‘My earliest memory is watching CITV and enjoying most of the shows. Happy memories and it was a great escape for an autistic child who didn’t find the outside world that easy.’
A fifth added: ‘A sad moment as we said goodbye to @ChildrensITV after 40 years on the air.
CITV was some of the most incredible, creative and anarchic children’s television. We’ve lost another home to great British talent, and content for the most important of all our audiences. #CITVFarewell’
CITV became an exclusive channel in 2006, previously the brand under which children’s television had been broadcast during the day since 1983.
In a statement to Sky newsITV said the decision to close the channel is a result of declining viewership.
“As a result of this new streaming approach and in response to the changing ways in which children and their parents increasingly access content,” it reads, “the CITV broadcaster will close after the summer break on September 1.”
Holly Willoughby and Stephen Mulhern’s Saturday Showdown was the first program to air on CITV.
The channel was also home to iconic shows such as Jungle Run, Horrid Henry and Art Attack.
ITV’s new home for children’s programming will be ITVX Kids, which launched in July and will replace the long-running CITV.
Rather than a traditional channel, this is the dedicated space of the pre-existing ITV children’s television streaming service.
Content from CITV has already been moved to the site in preparation for the channel’s closure.
ITVX replaced ITV Hub in December 2022, which had previously replaced ITV Player.
Space-tastic! My Parents Are Aliens was first released in 1999 and focused on a trio of orphans, who discover that their foster parents are aliens who have crash-landed on Earth.
Legendary: HOW first aired in 1996 but is best known for airing on CITV in the 1990s hosted by Fred Dinenage, Carol Vorderman and Gail Porter
Dynamic duo: Sooty first appeared on screens in the 1950s and appeared on CITV in a slew of different incarnations
The platform aims to help the broadcaster compete with streaming sites like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.
However, unlike those platforms, users can watch for free – but with ads – or sign up to ITVX Premium for £5.99 a month to watch ad-free.
Craig Morris, editor-in-chief of ITVX, also released a statement on the decision to close CITV.
He said: ‘We are very excited to launch this special destination for kids on ITVX, which will be home to a wealth of content, including new series, recognizable brands and existing favorites for different ages, all in one kid-safe space. , with editorial curation to guide viewing.’
The LittleBe pre-school segment continuing ITVBe in the mornings will continue, as will the early morning children’s programs shown on ITV2.