.svg){kind=logo} Logo used since 2015 | |
| Country | |
|---|---|
| Network | See separate section |
| Programming | |
| Language(s) | English |
| Picture format | 16:9576iSDTV |
| Timeshift service | Pop +1 |
| Ownership | |
| Owner |
|
| Sister channels | |
| History | |
| Launched | 29 May 2003; 21 years ago (2003-05-29) |
| Former names | Toons&Tunes (2003) |
Pop (stylized asPoP orPOP) is a Britishfree-to-airchildren'stelevision channel owned by Narrative Entertainment UK Limited, targeting audiences aged 6 to 10.[1] Launched on 29 May 2003 asToons&Tunes byChart Show Channels (CSC) Media Group, it later took on its current name and was sold toSony Pictures Television, who in turn sold it and its local channels to Narrative Entertainment UK Limited in 2021.
Pop was originally launched on 29 May 2003 by Chart Show Channels (CSC) Media Group asToons&Tunes.[2] Toons&Tunes was then later rebranded as its current name,Pop (formerly stylized aspop andPOP!) in the following month. In September 2003, a timeshift sister network -Pop Plus, was launched.[3] Originally, the network focused on music videos with animated programming also part of the schedule, but with the numerous music video network options on British television at the time, this focus was quickly abandoned in 2004, when the animated content became much more prominent. Music videos continued to be carried on and off until 2010, before eventually being abandoned entirely.[citation needed] Initially, the channel broadcast animated content sourced fromGranada Media's programming library under a six-month non-exclusive deal, before transitioning to content sourced mainly fromDIC Entertainment andNelvana.
In the channel's early years, links were presented by Rorry, formerly known as Tricky, an animated lime green dragon who used to host a Saturday morning show in the autumn of 1997, but was repurposed for the Pop channel. Tricky spoke with a northern English dialect, while Rorry spoke in a different voice with a Scottish accent, both versions were animated live through computer cues. He was accompanied by Purrdy, a dragon/cat hybrid who also appeared in the originalTricky programme onITV, it was sometimes followed by a programme known as "The Cheeky Monkey Show" which features the live links of the animated coloured monkeys known as "The Cheeky Monkeys".
In July 2004, Pop Plus was rebranded asTiny Pop with the channel's pre-school shows being moved over, alongside the Cheeky Monkeys.
On 10 August 2007, a one-hour timeshift service - Pop +1 was launched on Sky, alongside Tiny Pop +1. On 11 October, the channel was launched onVirgin Media, alongside Tiny Pop.[4]
On 19 May 2008, Pop +1 ceased broadcast and was replaced with a new sister network -Kix!.
On 1 February 2011, Pop was removed from Virgin Media to make way for the cable launch ofTrue Entertainment.[5]
On 20 March 2014, Pop was launched onFreeview.[6] Prior to April 2016, Pop was only available in areas where there is a local TV channel. On 14 July, Pop +1 was relaunched on Sky, replacing Kix +1.
On 1 April 2016, Pop moved to a wider coverage nationwide freeview mix, becoming available to over 90% of the country.[7] The capacity vacated by Pop on the local multiplex was used to transmitKix from 7 April 2016. Pop +1 moved to LCN channel 128, to release 127 for use by Kix, but was otherwise unaffected, continuing to broadcast locally to Manchester only until its eventual withdrawal from Freeview.
On 1 September 2020, Pop rebranded its on-air identity, with the premiere ofBakugan: Armored Alliance.[8] And on the same day, starting withPokémon Journeys: The Series, the network became the new British home of thePokémon anime, moving from its previous broadcasters, ITV1 andCITV, of over 20 years.[9]
On 9 November 2022, Narrative Entertainment announced the launch of a new FAST channel, Pop Kids, to stream onSamsung TV Plus, the new FAST network airs shows from Pop and Tiny Pop.[10]
Sometime in 2022, Pop began to branch into original content for the first time, as they approachedJoe Tasker for a new show calledSwipe It! With Joe Tasker.
On 19 July 2023, Pop reverted to broadcasting on the local-TV multiplex, switching places with sibling film channelGreat! Romance.[11] In September 2023, it was announced that Pop Kids would split into two FAST channels, withTiny Pop getting its own channel, and with Pop replacing the current FAST channel.[12]
On 7 February 2024, Pop and other Narrative Entertainment channels were removed fromFreesat to make way for the closure of the linear variant of Tiny Pop,[13] however it was relaunched in 21 August in the same year, but not on Freesat.
In December 2024, Pop's website was closed down and was replaced by Pop Player.
On 1 December 2024, Pop and Tiny Pop got turned into a hybrid streaming channel onFreeview but it continues to be a linear channel onSky andVirgin Media.[14]
Programming from Pop, Pop Max, and Tiny Pop is available through the Pop Player mobile app,YouView, andFreeview Play.
The channel sources its programming from multiple production and distribution studios. Programming includes original shows such asSwipe It! With Joe Tasker,[15] and acquired programming such asMiraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir andPokémon. The channel also includes movies and specials such as theBarbie television films,Pokémon andMonster High.[16][17]
.svg){kind=logo}
A time shift feed calledPop +1 was available until 2008, when it was replaced byKix!; in turn, that network's +1 feed was discontinued on 14 July 2014 with Pop +1's return.
A FAST channel launched onSamsung TV Plus in November 2022. It shows a list of programs from across Pop and Tiny Pop.[18] In September 2023, it was announced that the channel would split into two, withTiny Pop getting its own channel, and with Pop replacing the current FAST channel.[12]
Pop Up is aFAST channel on Freeview and other smart TV FAST channel providers such asSamsung TV Plus and LG Channels that launched on 30 May 2024. The channel offers programming from a single franchise within a few weeks at a time.[19]
There is also a Nigerian Pop channel that launched on StarTimes in 2014.
On 13 April 2017,Sony Pictures Television announced that they would launch an Italian version of Pop on 4 May, replacing Neko TV following Sony's acquisition of the Television Broadcasting System and would be their first free-to-air offering in the country.[20] The channel offered up similar programming to its UK counterpart.
The Italian network, in addition to its sister channelCine Sony flopped with ratings in the country; and on 7 May 2019, Sony announced they had put both slots up for sale.[21]Mediaset were confirmed to have successfully purchased the slots, and on 11 July, Pop's slot was officially given to their Boing SpA joint-venture withTurner Broadcasting System Europe and was replaced withBoing Plus, a sister network toBoing.[22]
ThePakistani version of Pop is operated by Edutainment (Pty.) Ltd. under the license from Sony Pictures Television.[23]
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link){{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link){{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)