Popular Freeview and Sky channels will be axed next month – here’s what your TV is losing

Sky and Freeview users are about to lose access to a duo of popular children’s channels.

If you get your fix of entertainment via Sky, Freeview or Virgin Media, you’re about to get fewer things to watch via the standard TV guide. It’s just been announced that a duo of popular children’s channels are being axed from next month, which means millions of homes will no longer be able to tap and tune in.

The update affects Pop and Tiny Pop, with both being taken off air from December 2025. As a quick reminder, these services – which are free to view – currently feature popular shows such as Pokémon, LEGO Friends, Hello Kitty, Power Players and Monster High with content for younger viewers shown throughout the day and night.

Sadly, the plug is about to be pulled for good due to things no longer being commercially viable.

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.

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It’s not all bad news. 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.

“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,” Dunthorne added.

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, there is some better news on the hoizon.

Sky has confirmed that 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+.