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2 popular channels axed from Freeview after 23 years on the air
POP and Tiny POP cease linear broadcasts due to declining commercial viability and shift to streaming; only streaming and free ad-supported services remain for viewers, operator said.
- On Saturday, POP and Tiny POP were pulled from Freeview and other platforms, ending more than 20 years of linear broadcasting, with the channels moving exclusively to streaming/FAST services.
- Narrative Entertainment says a collapse in commercial viability forced the move, warning `But free-to-air channels for this audience are simply not commercially viable without public service broadcaster-style funding,` with children increasingly using YouTube and social media.
- Launched by CSC Media, the two channels became staples for children whose parents used Freeview, Sky and Virgin, and the POP Player linear offering is shutting down.
- The closures leave only CBBC, CBeebies and Milkshake among free-to-air kids' blocks, with Channel 5 the last traditional children's channel, while the POP director stays to oversee the FAST portfolio.
- Virgin Media this week added Tingray Classica and Stingray DJAZZ channels, while Narrative MD Paul Dunthorne said the company will close its linear POP channels but keep a FAST portfolio.
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Total News Sources18
Leaning Left2Leaning Right0Center11Last UpdatedBias Distribution85% Center
Bias Distribution
- 85% of the sources are Center
85% Center
15%
C 85%
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