Sky, Freeview, and Virgin Media viewers are set to experience a reduction in available content through the standard TV guide. The popular children’s channels, Pop and Tiny Pop, will be removed from the lineup starting December 2025. These channels, known for showcasing beloved shows like Pokémon, LEGO Friends, and Hello Kitty, cater to a younger audience with programming throughout the day and night.
The decision to discontinue these channels is driven by commercial viability concerns. Paul Dunthorne, Managing Director of Narrative, explained that the UK kids’ TV market’s commercial value has significantly decreased over the past decade, leading to the closure of the linear Pop channel by the end of the year. Despite efforts to sustain Pop, free-to-air channels targeting young viewers are no longer sustainable without funding similar to public service broadcasters.
While the closure of Pop and Tiny Pop on traditional TV platforms is unfortunate news, the channels’ content will still be accessible via online-only services on FAST platforms. The Pop presence will be maintained on FAST channels in the UK on platforms like Freeview, Samsung, and LG, offering continued commercial opportunities domestically and internationally.
As part of the changes, the Pop Player app and website will also shut down. However, amidst these closures, Sky has announced the addition of Disney Jr. to its lineup on November 13, providing a range of shows aimed at children aged 2-6. Disney Jr. will feature popular titles such as Mickey Mouse Clubhouse+, Marvel’s Spidey and his Amazing Friends, and Bluey, and will be available through the Sky Kids package via the TV guide or on demand on various Sky devices and the Sky Go app. Additionally, Disney Jr. content will remain accessible for streaming on Disney+.
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