A NEW free channel has launched on TVs across the UK and Ireland for kids.
The station comes amid a number of changes in recent years, with the removal of CITV and Tiny POP going digital-only.
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Meanwhile, the BBC is planning to scrap CBBC showing as a normal TV channel next year.
But in a sign of the times a new digital station has popped up on the Netgem platform.
Netgem is used by the likes of TalkTalk TV, Community Fibre TV and BetterTV.
But anyone can access the free station another way following the trick explained at the bottom of this page.
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The new channel is called PlayKids TV, with a mix of entertaining cartoons and educational content on offer.
Shows include Talking Tom & Friends, Earth to Luna and The Hive.
“We are thrilled to include PlayKids TV among our 130 FAST channels, which are distributed as part of our service in the UK through TalkTalk TV and numerous other operators,” said Mathieu Ghariani, Director of Commercial Operations at Netgem.
PlayKids TV is one of a growing number of so-called “FAST” channels, which stands for free ad-supported streamed television.
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Bills, bills, bills…
Samsung and LG have a number of FAST channels built into their smart TVs as standard now.
They’re especially useful for those wanting to cut back on their streaming TV bills after recent hikes from Amazon Prime and Disney+.
In January, Amazon added a new £2.99 fee if you want to continue watching Prime without adverts.
The best way to save money? FORGET paid streaming
Analysis by Jamie Harris, Senior Technology and Science Reporter at The Sun
FAST channels that bring TV to your screens via the internet are on the rise.
They’ve been around for a while now but many were filled with pretty rubbish programmes.
Now, bigger names have got on board, including Sky and Dave broadcaster UKTV.
Sure, you won’t find the latest big budget shows and movies on them.
But they’re a great alternative to all the paid streamers around and won’t cost you a penny.
As of March 24, annual Disney+ subscribers had to pay £109.90, up from £79.90 on the previous year.
It’ not just TV streamers increasing prices.
Spotify has got in on the act as well, recently announcing plans will increase by up to £2 per month.
The move follows wider bill hikes across TV, broadband and mobile phones in “awful April”.
Brits also faced a TV Licence rise too.
Secret trick to access extra channels on your TV
You don’t need to be with a service provider that uses Netgem TV to access their free channels.
Netgem TV has an app on iPhone and Android – and you don’t need to stay stuck to a mobile screen to watch channels either.
The app supports Chromecast, which is built into most smart TVs these days.
It also has AirPlay from Apple too.
PlayKids TV and a number of other free stations can be accessed from the app on your phone and instantly streamed to your telly wirelessly.
For anyone who lost Tiny POP after it was removed from Freeview, Sky and Virgin Media can also access the channel this way.
