Pop comes to Freeview

Freeview is getting a new kids channel, from Thursday, I wonder if it will get a new look?

This is one of CSC Media's channels. I think it would be better if they launched one of their music channels on Freeview, such as Chart Show TV, as freeview doesn't really have any proper music channels anymore (4Music and Viva are more like entertainment channels these days), and there's already 3 kids channels on freeview.

Disagree - I think Freeview needs an alternative to CITV and CBBC. Wonder if it's using the stream previously used by the BBC for the second red button stream.

Didn't Pop used to be a music channel as well as a kids channel, hence the name?

Yep, its original name was Toons n Tunes.

Speaking of children's channel, what is the most popular channel in both UK and R. Ireland? How popular are all of Pop channels?

CBBC, thanks largely to it's Freeview availability. Pop and it's sister stations Pop Girl and Kix are near the bottom of the pile, though that's probably largely because of lack of brand recognition - Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network and Disney are far more well known. Pop airs My Little Pony Friendship is Magic - a popular show on Hub Network in America (even among males [Bronies], despite being aimed at girls), but it won't be very popular in this country, simply because of what channel it's on.

Average viewing for UK kids channels in February (mins/week):



True Entertainment has done quite well after launching on Freeview, and I can see Pop's audience share growing even more given the limited competition in the kids' section.

Freeview availability will do anything, but how the popularity of MLP FIM , Transformers: Prime and other Hasbro Studios shows can be increased in the UK? I think CBBC isn't home for shows backed by toy companies. Will moving to CITV Channel (and weekend morning slot on ITV network) help it?

Guess TRTÉ and RTÉ jr blocks on RTÉ Two are popular in the R. Ireland, TV3 doesn't have any for children, and rest of situation are same as in the UK?

I expect Pop to jump quite significantly after its launch on Freeview.

According to A516 this is on the LOCAL muxes only. Very limited availability as a result.

Though in geographical terms it may not be great coverage, in population terms it might be a bit better?

The Crystal Palace local mux covers a pretty large number of people - and even though it is low power, because it's QPSK rather than QAM it's a much more robust signal.