A MAJOR name in broadcasting will disappear from screens tonight after more than ten years on-air.
The channel has been a staple on Sky, Virgin Media and Freeview since bursting onto the scene in October 2014.
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But there will be a new channel to take its place from Monday morning.
ITVBe is closing down and being replaced with a new channel called ITV Quiz.
It will air some of the firm’s “market-leading UK quiz and game shows”.
These include Wheel of Fortune, Tipping Point, Lingo, Tenable, the rebooted Deal or No Deal and Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?.
However, eagle-eyed viewers noticed that fan favourite The Chase is missing from the schedule at launch.
Meanwhile, some of ITVBe’s top shows are moving to ITV2.
THE Only Way Is Essex is returning to its original home in the autumn.
It’ll also revert to airing twice a week.
The Real Housewives of Cheshire is also being rehomed on ITV2.
However, other ITVBe staples like Dinner Date appear to have been quietly axed amid the changes.
As it stands, there is no new series currently commissioned, an insider recently told The Sun – but if it did return, it would be on ITV2/ITVX.
Repeats of Dinner Date do appear on ITV2 from next week.
The final show to appear on ITVBe is Backyard Builds, before ITV Quiz takes over at 6am.
More channel closures ‘inevitable’
An industry expert told The Sun that more channel closures are likely in 2025 and beyond.
“This is inevitable, more broadcasters will cull broadcast/linear TV channels as viewers are flocking to streaming services,” Paolo Pescatore from PP Foresight said.
“The big TV switch off is around the corner, with all programming set to be delivered via the internet.
“Viewers are now spoilt for choice with how and where they watch the TV shows they love across a range of connected devices.
“To respond, broadcasters need to be prepared and work more closely with telecom providers to ensure a seamless experience for users.”
Image credit: Getty
