ITV Hub Is Being Shut Down By The End Of This Year

ITV Hub is set to be closed down by the end of 2022.

The video on-demand service and 'home of ITV' - where you can watch family favourites such as Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway, get stuck into a good old murder mystery such as Agatha Christie's Marple or binge-watch some reality TV like Love Island - is about to be no more.

However, fear not, because all is not lost. As with every ending, comes a new beginning.

ITV adds X-appeal to streaming with 9,000hrs of the freshest tv launching for free later this year @ITVX
News > https://t.co/Ih9SNufVpK pic.twitter.com/Z72dyQhBcc

— ITV Press Centre (@itvpresscentre) June 15, 2022

While by the end of the year, ITV hub will be closed down, it is set to be replaced with ITVX - described as the UK's 'first integrated advertising and subscription (AVOD/ SVOD) platform'.

The new platform already has its own website, which teases users: "Get ready for Britain's freshest new streaming service."

The announcement continues: "ITVX is the new streaming home of all ITV and so much more!

"With exclusive new series launching every week. An ever-changing library of blockbuster movies and the nation's biggest live events.

"Curated themed channels, thousands of box sets and the ability to access BritBox all in one place!"

In a press release, ITV explained the streaming service will remain 'free-to-watch'.

One major difference? It has been 'built on a new technical and user architecture, underpinned by a significantly enhanced data capability and packed with 15,000 hours of content' as opposed to the roughly 4,000 hours currently on ITV Hub.

Instead of releasing series on its linear channels, ITV will now 'adopt a digital first windowing strategy' which will see 'much of its new content' premiered on ITVX.

ITV Hub doesn’t currently support High Definition viewing, but please be assured that we’re always looking at a variety of options for making our programming and associated content available to viewers via various platforms.

This could be a change we make for ITVX.

— ITV Hub (@itvhub) June 9, 2022

Every week, a new and exclusive series will drop on ITVX.

Some upcoming series include Litvinenko starring Doctor Who legend David Tennant, Nolly featuring Harry Potter star Helena Bonham Carter and A Spy Among Friends starring Homeland actor Damian Lewis.

ITV explained that such dramas will arrive on ITVX 'six to nine months' before they're released onto one of its broadcast channels.

Other exclusive content will feature 'a raft of exciting comedy' and 'compelling factual content,' with 'many more streaming premieres to be revealed in the run up to the launch'.

It seems that Veronica Mars is going to be on ITVX too. Never saw the series back in the day.

— Scott M (@scott_gamer) June 15, 2022

Viewers will also be able to catch blockbuster films on the service.

"ITVX intends to stream 500 films for free in its first year alone, with a constantly refreshed selection of titles and 150 films on the service at any one time," the plans state.

Popular US series will also be included due to a 'wide ranging content deal' between ITV and WarnerMedia International Television Distribution.

ITVX (the replacement for ITV Hub) announces more details:
* It will air dramas at least six months before they air on ITV channels
* One new drama will launch exclusively on it every week
* Full ITV series will be online after first episodes on TV
* It will arrive ‘late 2022’

— Scott Bryan (@scottygb) June 15, 2022

ITV's Chief Executive, Carolyn McCall, stated: "The digital acceleration we are announcing today builds on everything we have achieved in phase one of our More Than TV strategy. ITVX will be a free service supported by adverts, with a compelling subscription proposition.

"This is fantastic for viewers - it will provide a simplified and seamless experience with thousands of hours of free content made up of both library and original exclusive content."

There will also be a subscription tier on the service for viewers who prefer to watch ad-free.

McCall concluded: "We are supercharging our streaming business, fundamentally shifting our focus to think digital first, as well as optimising our broadcast channels, by continuing to attract unrivalled mass audiences. In doing so we are responding to changing viewing habits, but also the evolving needs from our advertisers. This will enable ITV to continue to be both commercial viewers and advertisers’ first choice."

ITVX is anticipated as launching sometime later this year.

Until then, viewers can still use ITV Hub.