 ITV says it will continue to commission children's programming |
ITV is to cease in-house production of children's television programmes, the broadcaster has announced. It said it was consulting with staff and unions about the planned disposal of ITV Productions Kids, including possibly selling it as a going concern.
A spokesman said "every effort would be made to relocate and redeploy" the 19 London, Leeds and Manchester staff.
He added that the CITV channel, launched in March, would "remain as the home of high quality kids programming".
The spokesman said that the move was part of ongoing restructuring at ITV to "improve efficiency in the business".
"The ITV Productions Kids unit has been responsible for many great children's programmes, and ITV Productions Kids content will continue to be seen on ITV for some time to come.
"This decision reflects the competitive production environment and is not a reflection of the quality of the unit's work over many years."
He added: "The CITV channel is proving hugely popular with kids and has, in three months, already overtaken established channels like Nickelodeon."
ITV last month announced plans to axe a string of popular programmes, including Today With Des And Mel, in a bid to refresh the ITV1 schedule.
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