A NUMBER of big TV channel changes are in the pipeline over the Christmas period – including a load of closures.
The line-up on Sky and Virgin Media are regularly overhauled to reflect special seasonal events but this year there will be a few more sad departures than usual.
A total of eight channels will disappear entirely from Sky and Virgin boxes at the end of the month, while others will only be leaving temporarily.
Firstly, NOW XMAS will leave screens once again on December 27, paving way for the revival of Clubland TV until next year.
Then days later some big shut downs will commence.
MTV XMAS will bow out for the final time on December 29, making way for the return of MTV 90s.
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But the change will only last a couple of days as all MTV music channels are closing in 2026.
This affects four channels: MTV Music, Club MTV, MTV 90s and MTV 80s.
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These will cease broadcasting on New Years Eve.
However, they’re not the only channels leaving Sky and Virgin completely.
Kids channel brand Pop is going digital only, meaning four channels will no longer have a traditional broadcasting slot.
This affects Pop, Tiny Pop, Pop+1 and Tiny Pop+1.
Fortunately, they can still be accessed via smart TVs like Samsung for free.
The end of MTV’s music channels mark a huge turning point after 38 years.
MTV’s flagship channel will continue but it largely focuses on reality TV instead of music.
Its departure from the music scene will leave very few music channels left in the UK.
The Box, Kiss, 4Music, Magic and Kerrang all disappeared in summer 2024.
Secret trick to get closing channels back
Although a load of MTV and Pop channels are going there are ways to get them back outside of Sky and Virgin Media.
The current MTV music channel brands are still going but there are some others you can find elsewhere for free.
Streaming app Pluto TV has three MTV music channels: MTV Classic, MTV Rocks, and MTV Best Of.
You can access Pluto TV via smart TVs or via your Virgin Media TV box.
Similarly, Pop’s TV channels will continue to be accessible on streaming platforms like Pluto and Samsung TV Plus.
