01-12-2023, 02:39 PM
(04-09-2023, 10:54 AM)Keith Wrote: Worth noting that until Friday the stream used by CITV appears to have been split as follows.The timeshift services have had their hours completely cut on Freeview. ITV3+1 and Be+1 have moved into the downtime of ITV2+1 where it now closes at 2am each day.
- 04:00 to 05:00: ITVBe +1
- 05:00 to 06:00: ITV4 +1
- 06:00 to 21:00: CITV
- 21:00 to 04:00: ITV3 +1
According to www.xhxf.uk it's now split as follows.
- 04:00 to 05:00: ITV4 +1
- 05:00 to 21:00: ITVBe +1
- 21:00 to 04:00: ITV3 +1
It does feel like the 1 hour per day channels are now of a 'parliamentary service' to retain the channel number on Freeview. I thought the existing rules required the equivalent of 2 hours per day, though may not have been applied to existing channels when the rules were introduced.
I wouldn't be too surprised if some the ITV +1 channels swap their broadcast hours in the near future. Longer term I imagine some of them may close completely in preference of their ITVX service.
ITV has opted to completely auction off the ex-CITV space to another broadcaster. Honestly this thread has been really fascinating to follow for the past few months where we've truly seen a point of no return for children's TV on linear platforms.
I have to wonder how we will see what happens with the BBC's planned closure of BBC4/CBBC within the next two years. It can't be that long until we receive new details of how they propose it.