Pop UK (My AU)

Pop was originally launched on 29 May 2003 by Chart Show Channels (CSC) Media Group as Toons&Tunes.[2] Toons&Tunes was then later rebranded as its current name, Pop (formerly stylized as pop and POP!) 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 from Granada Media's programming library under a six-month non-exclusive deal, before transitioning to content sourced mainly from DIC Entertainment and Nelvana.

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 original Tricky programme on ITV, 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 as Tiny 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 on Virgin 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 of True Entertainment.[5]

The MoonGoons were Pop's main mascot during from 2012 to 2015, starring in games, bumpers and idents during that period.

They were created by Aquamoon Games, a division of CSC Media

The two main ones were a blue octopus named Boofus and a Orange rabbit with antennas named Diggle.

On 20 March 2014, Pop was launched on Freeview.[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 transmit Kix 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 of Bakugan: Armored Alliance.[8] And on the same day, starting with Pokémon Journeys: The Series, the network became the new British home of the Pokémon anime, moving from its previous broadcasters, ITV1 and CITV, of over 20 years.[9]

On 9 November 2022, Narrative Entertainment announced the launch of a new FAST channel, Pop Kids, to stream on Samsung 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 approached Joe Tasker for a new show called Swipe It! With Joe Taker.

On 19 July 2023, Pop reverted to broadcasting on the local-TV multiplex, switching places with sibling film channel Great! Romance.[11] In September 2023, it was announced that Pop Kids would split into two FAST channels, with Tiny 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 from Freesat 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.

On 30 May 2024, Narrative Entertainment announced the launch of Pop Up, a binge-watching-style FAST channel that offers up programming from a single IP within a few weeks at a time.[14]

Current programming
Pop
The channel sources its programming from multiple production and distribution studios. Programming includes original shows such as Swipe It! With Joe Tasker (The talking potato from this show is the current mascot), and acquired programming such as Alvinnn!!! and the Chipmunks, Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir and Pokémon. The channel also includes movies and such as the Barbie television films, Pokémon and Monster High.[1]

Upcoming programming
Mermicorno: Starfall (early 2025)[2]
Original programming
Swipe It! With Joe Tasker[3]
Acquired programming
44 Cats[4][5]
Alvinnn!!! and the Chipmunks (also on Nickelodeon)[4][6]
Annedroids[7]
Bakugan[4]
Bakugan: Battle Planet[4]
Bakugan: Geogan Rising[4]
Bakugan: Evolutions[4]
Bakugan: Legends[4]
Barbie: A Touch of Magic[4][8]
Barbie Dreamhouse Adventures[4][9]
Barbie: It Takes Two[4][10]
Care Bears: Welcome to Care-a-Lot[4]
Droners[4][11]
Grizzy & the Lemmings (also on Boomerang, CBBC and BBC iPlayer)[4][12]
The InBESTigators[4][13]
Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts[4][14]
Kung Fu Sock (Show is EXTREMELY obscure so I will explain, Young girl named Tee Zeng gets superpowers when she puts on a living sock named Master Kicko) [4][15][16]
Lego City Adventures (also on Nickelodeon)[4][17]
Lego Dreamzzz: Trials of the Dream Chasers (also on ITVX)[4][18]
Lego Friends: Girls on a Mission[4][19]
Lego Friends: The Next Chapter[4][20]
L.O.L. Surprise! House of Surprises![4][21]
Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir (also on Disney+)[4][22]
Moley[4]
Monster High (also on Nickelodeon)[4][23][24]
Polly Pocket[4][25]
Pokémon[4][26]
Pokémon Journeys: The Series[4][27]
Pokémon Master Journeys: The Series[4][28]
Pokémon Ultimate Journeys: The Series[4]
Power Players[28]
Power Rangers
Power Rangers Dino Super Charge[4]
Power Rangers Dino Fury[4][29]
Power Rangers Beast Morphers[4]
Rainbow Butterfly Unicorn Kitty[4][30]
Sadie Sparks[4][31]
Shasha & Milo[4]
She-Ra and the Princesses of Power[4][32]
Skylanders Academy[4][33]
Space Chickens in Space[4][34]
Squish[4][35]
Team Jay[36]
Total DramaRama[4][37] (also on CBBC and BBC iPlayer)
Transformers: Cyberverse[4]
Films and specials
Barbie: Princess Adventure
Barbie & Chelsea: The Lost Birthday
Barbie: Big City, Big Dreams
Barbie: Mermaid Power
Master Moley By Royal Invitation
Miraculous World: New York, United Heroez
Miraculous World: Shanghai, The Legend of Ladydragon
Monster High: The Movie
Pokémon: Lucario and the Mystery of Mew
Pokémon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea
Pokémon the Movie: Kyurem vs. the Sword of Justice (also on CBBC and BBC iPlayer)
Pokémon the Movie: Diancie and the Cocoon of Destruction (also on CBBC and BBC iPlayer)
Pokémon the Movie: Hoopa and the Clash of Ages (also on CBBC and BBC iPlayer)
Pokémon the Movie: Volcanion and the Mechanical Marvel (also on CBBC and BBC iPlayer)
Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You![a] (also on CBBC and BBC iPlayer)
Pokémon the Movie: The Power of Us[a] (also on CBBC and BBC iPlayer)
Tiny Pop
Tiny Pop airs preschool programs such as Gabby's Dollhouse, Super Wings and PJ Masks.[38]

Original programming
Billy the Cowboy Hamster[39]
DinoCity
Acquired programming
Agent Binky: Pets of the Universe[40]
Apollo's Tall Tales[41]
Barbie: A Touch of Magic[42]
Barbie Dreamhouse Adventures[43]
Care Bears: Unlock the Magic[41][44] (2019–present)
Caring For Each Other
Cookie Monster's Foodie Truck[41]
Cookie's Crumby Pictures
Dino Ranch
Ella, Oscar & Hoo[41]
Elmo and Tango's Mysterious Mysteries
Elmo's World[41]
Esme & Roy[41]
Gabby's Dollhouse[45]
Gigantosaurus[41][46] (2020–present)
Go! Go! Cory Carson[47]
Grizzy & the Lemmings (also on Boomerang, CBBC and BBC iPlayer)[48]
Gus – The Itsy Bitsy Knight
Hello Kitty: Super Style![49]
Jeremy & Jazzy
Little Bear (English dub of Pompon Ours)[50][51]
Masha and the Bear (also on Cartoonito)[41][52]
Mighty Express (2022–present[53])[54][55]
Molang[41][56] (2018–present)
Monchhichi[41]
Mush-Mush and the Mushables
My Little Pony: Pony Life[41] (2020–present)
Petronix Defenders (2022–present[53])[57]
Pikwik Pack
PJ Masks[41][58] (2017–present)
Remy & Boo[41]
Simon[41]
Smart Cookies[41]
Strawberry Shortcake: Berry in the Big City (2022–present)[59]
Super Grover 2.0
Super Wings[41][60] (2017–Present)
Trotties[61]
Yeti Tales[41]
Pop Max
Pop Max mainly airs TV shows from sister channel Pop, such as Pokémon, Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir and Grizzy & the Lemmings. Pop Max airs movies and specials similar to Pop, but it is mostly limited to Pokémon movies.[62]

Alvinnn!!! and the Chipmunks
Bakugan[63]
Bakugan: Evolutions
Droners[4][64]
Ethan Gamer Plays Roblox
Grizzy & the Lemmings
The InBESTigators[4][65]
Kung Fu Sock
Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir
Nate Is Late[66]
Pokémon Journeys: The Series
Pokémon Journeys: The Series[67]
Pokémon Master Journeys: The Series[28]
Pokémon Ultimate Journeys: The Series
Power Players[28]
Power Rangers Beast Morphers
PocketWatch Ultimate MishMash
Art For Kids Hub[68]
Denis[69]
LankyBox[69]
Skylanders Academy[70]
Shasha & Milo[4]
Shasha & Milo: Shorts
Space Chickens in Space[71]
Squish[72]
Talking Tom & Friends[73]
The Strange Chores[74]
Total DramaRama
Films and specials
Pokémon the Movie: Black—Victini and Reshiram and White—Victini and Zekrom (also on CBBC and BBC iPlayer)
Pokémon the Movie: Genesect and the Legend Awakened (also on BBC iPlayer)
User1 (March 4, 2025):
Hey everyone, I recently came across a kids' TV channel called "Kix." Does anyone know more about it? Like, what kind of shows do they air, and is it available in the US? Thanks!

User2 (March 4, 2025):
I think I’ve heard of Kix! It’s a kids' channel that mostly features animated shows and some live-action series aimed at kids aged around 6-12. Not sure about the exact regions, but I believe it’s more popular in the UK and some parts of Europe.

User3 (March 4, 2025):
Yep, User2 is right. Kix is kind of a spin-off from the old Pop channel lineup. They show cartoons, some adventure series, and sometimes classic kids’ programs. I don’t think it’s officially available in the US via cable, but you might be able to stream some of their shows online.

User1 (March 4, 2025):
Thanks for the info! I found a few shows on YouTube branded with the Kix logo. Any recommendations of good series to check out on this channel?

User4 (March 4, 2025):
If you like action and adventure shows, check out “Power Rangers Dino Fury” and “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers” reruns. They air those on Kix sometimes. Also, some fun animated shows like “Pokemon” and “Beyblade” have been part of their schedule. Pretty good mix for kids into those genres!

Write a follow up asking if they air 2010 era Pop shows (e.g GoGoRiki, Oggy. etc)

User1 (March 5, 2025):
Thanks for the recommendations! One more question — does Kix air any of the 2010-era Pop shows, like GoGoRiki, Oggy and the Cockroaches, or similar titles? I loved those back in the day and was wondering if they’re part of Kix’s lineup.

Write a reply saying he's pretty sure those air at night

User3 (March 5, 2025):
Pretty sure those shows do air on Kix, mostly during the evening or nighttime slots. They tend to schedule the older Pop classics like GoGoRiki and Oggy and the Cockroaches later in the day, while the newer action stuff runs during the afternoon. So if you’re looking for those, check the evening schedule!

Write a conversation asking who own the channels

User1 (March 6, 2025):
By the way, does anyone know who actually owns the Kix channel? And is it related to Pop or any other kids' networks?

User2 (March 6, 2025):
Yeah, Kix and Pop are both owned by a company called Narrative Entertainment. They acquired a bunch of kids' channels a few years back and have been expanding their lineup since then.

User4 (March 6, 2025):
Exactly! Narrative Entertainment manages several kids’ channels in the UK and Europe, including Pop, Tiny Pop, and Kix. So there’s a lot of shared content and branding between them.

User3 (March 6, 2025):
Makes sense why their schedules overlap and some shows bounce between the channels. Narrative’s been focusing on nostalgic and action-packed kids programming to keep a broad audience.

Write a tweet with all 10 current shows

Here’s a tweet listing the 10 current shows on Kix:

🎉 Loving the Kix lineup! Here are 10 shows you can catch now: Power Rangers Dino Fury, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, Pokémon, Beyblade, GoGoRiki, Oggy and the Cockroaches, Sonic Boom, YooHoo and Friends (2012 dub), SheZow, and Skatoony! #KidsTV #KixChannel #ThrowbackFun

Write a forum conversation asking which version of Skatoony is airing

User1 (March 7, 2025):
Hey everyone, quick question — do you know which version of Skatoony is currently airing on Kix? I know there have been a few different versions over the years, and I'm curious which one they're showing now. Thanks!

User2 (March 7, 2025):
Good question! Last time I checked, Kix was airing the original UK version of Skatoony with the live-action hosts and animated contestants. Not sure if they’ve switched it up recently though.

User3 (March 7, 2025):
Yeah, from what I’ve seen it’s still the UK version. The US and Canadian versions are pretty rare, so Kix sticks with the classic UK-style show.

User4 (March 7, 2025):
I can confirm it’s the UK original too. The mix of live-action and animation is what makes it unique, and Kix seems to keep that vibe going. Hopefully, they bring back some of the older episodes soon!

User1 (March 9, 2025):
Hey everyone, I heard about a show on Kix that features a boy who becomes a genderbent superhero. Does anyone know the name of that show and what it’s about?

User2 (March 9, 2025):
Sounds like you’re talking about SheZow! It’s about a boy named Guy who's given a ring that transforms him into the superhero SheZow, who has a more traditionally feminine superhero look and powers. It’s a fun mix of humor and action.

User3 (March 9, 2025):
Yeah, SheZow is pretty unique with that concept. The show plays with superhero tropes and gender roles in a lighthearted way. Definitely worth checking out if you like something different!

User4 (March 9, 2025):
I agree! It’s a cool show that mixes funny moments with heroics. Kix airing it fits their vibe of having diverse and entertaining kids’ programming.

User3 (March 9, 2025):
Right now, the overnight lineup on Kix usually includes these five shows: GoGoRiki, Oggy and the Cockroaches, SheZow, Skatoony, and Sonic Boom. Great mix for late-night viewing if you want some nostalgia and fun!

User1 (March 10, 2025):
Hey all, does anyone know which shows replaced Kung Fu Sock, Squish, and 50/50 Heroes on Kix after January 10? I noticed those titles disappeared from the schedule and was curious about their replacements.
Write a user's reply, as those shows were regelated to deadslots