(ITV) Merit

Already posted on the Merit mock, but I’ll do it here anyway:

Merit’s programming focus has been revealed, and will focus on gardening and food programming. It will broadcast on the former LCN of ITV3+1 and will appear in a retune tommorow.

More info: https://rxtvinfo.com/2020/merit-launching-on-freeview-channel-34

That's a very low-key launch, bit of an experiment for itv perhaps?

Based on the details, I think it’s simply ITV channel squatting.

They already have both the space and the LCN though.

Seems an odd thing to show exclusively post-watershed and doesn't quite match up to the name IMO, which sounds way more premium than it is.

With a view to sell?

Possibly, especially with the spectrum clearance for 5G, there’ll be huge demand for space. ITV could really cash in here if they can persuade people onto the ITV Hub and BritBox instead of their +1 channels.

I guess it's a genre that they don't have covered. But the fact it's come out of nowhere, no promotion, no schedule and no ITV branding certainly points to it being a temporary thing or a placeholder.

Or its just the softest of soft launches.

Strange name and it's only on for 3 hours a day. It screams 'temporary'.

Might be worth keeping an eye out throughout the day to see if there's any promotion or information.
RXTV says that further details about Merit will be available tomorrow.

Not even worth returning (again) for.

You are correct.

I can't figure out the channel name at all. Presumably this will be old repeats of ITV cooking and gardening shows (though Love Your Garden is the only one I can think of for that genre) rather than anything new.