Those with Freeview, Sky or Virgin Media services in their homes are about to find they have two fewer channels to watch. It’s just been confirmed that the children’s channels Pop and Tiny Pop will stop broadcasting from December 2025. These channels currently include popular shows such as Pokémon, Hello Kitty, LEGO Friends, Monster High and Power Players with content shown throughout the day and night.
However, the plug is about to be pulled with the team behind the services saying it’s simply not commercially viable to continue.
Once the channels close, the content will still be available via so-called FAST platforms, but homes will need an internet-powered telly to tune in, as these will be online-only services.
Explaining more Paul Dunthorne, MD of Narrative, which also operates the Great! portfolio of channels, told Cordbusters: “With commercial value across the UK kids’ TV market now just 4% of what it was 10 years ago, we’ve taken the decision to close our linear Pop channel at the end of the year.
“We understand the importance of offering high-quality kids’ TV, and we’ve done everything that we can to maintain Pop. But free-to-air channels for this audience are simply not commercially viable without public service broadcaster-style funding.
“We will retain our Pop presence on FAST channels in the UK on Freeview, Samsung, LG and other platforms, and internationally, as these continue to offer commercial opportunities.”
Along with the channel shutdown, it’s also been confirmed that the Pop Player app and website will close down as well.
Although that’s bad news for those accessing content for younger members of the family, Sky has confirmed a boost for some of its users.
The company says it is turning up the fun with the arrival of Disney Jr. – a kids’ TV channel packed with shows for children aged 2-6.
This update will go live on November 13 as part of the Sky Kids package.
The Disney Jr. channel features new favourites like Mickey Mouse Clubhouse+, Marvel’s Spidey and his Amazing Friendsand Marvel’s Iron Man and his Awesome Friends, as well as beloved global preschool hits including Bluey, Doc McStuffins and Sofia the First.
Disney Jr. will be available to watch with the Sky Kids pack via the TV guide or on demand on all Sky devices (Sky Glass, Sky Stream, Sky Q and Sky+) as well as the Sky Go app. Disney Jr. content will also continue to be available to stream on Disney+.