Pop bursts onto Freeview

UK kids channel Pop, home to toons such as Grojband and My Little Pony, has secured distribution on UK DTT platform Freeview, bringing it to an extra 12.4 million households.

The CSC Media-owned general entertainment channel for 4-9 year old girls and boys launched on Freeview yesterday and airs between 06:00 and 22:00.

Pop has been available in UK satellite homes for over 10 years and is an active buyer of international kids content, recently striking deals with the likes of FremantleMedia Kids & Family Entertainment, Cake and Beyond Distribution.

Dominic Gardiner, head of children’s channels at CSC Media, said: “Pop will become the UK’s fourth national kids TV network delivering a quality and fun alternative for kids and families in Freeview homes.”

Gardiner, a former director of acquisitions for Disney Channels EMEA, recently told C21 that he is looking for more animated series aimed at 7-9 year-olds to air next year.