View source for Pokémon in the United Kingdom

{{CountryInfobox|area=United Kingdom
|countries=the United Kingdom
|language={{wp|English language|English}}
|continent={{wp|Europe}}
|EP001=29 March 1999
|AG001=6 June 2004
|DP001=4 February 2008
|BW001={{tt|27 February 2011|Sneak peek, CITV}}<br>{{tt|4 June 2011|Actual season premiere, CITV}}
|XY001={{tt|19 October 2013|Sneak peek, CITV}}<br>{{tt|5 April 2014|Actual season premiere, CITV}}
|SM001={{tt|20 November 2016|Sneak peek, CITV}}<br>{{tt|11 April 2017|Actual season premiere, CITV}}
|JN001={{tt|25 May 2020|Sneak peek, POP}}<br>{{tt|1 September 2020|Actual season premiere, POP}}
|HZ001={{tt|1 December 2023|BBC iPlayer}}<br>{{tt|4 December 2023|CBBC}}
}}
The [[Pokémon]] franchise first reached the '''{{wp|United Kingdom}}''' in 1999 with the release of [[Pokémon Red and Blue Versions]] and the airing of the {{pkmn|anime}} [[dub]], both in English.

==Pokémon games==
All [[Pokémon games]] that have been released in {{pmin|the United States}} have also been released in the UK, with the exception of [[Hey You, Pikachu!]]. Additionally, English-language versions of [[Pokémon Tetris]] and [[Learn with Pokémon: Typing Adventure]] have been released in the UK, despite these titles having never been released in North America. Prior to release dates becoming globally simultaneous, the UK release dates tended to be some time after those of North America, with the exception of {{g|Dash}}, [[PokéPark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure]] and {{game|Black and White|s}}, which were released in the UK before North America. The [[Generation I]] games, as well as their spin-offs, released during that time were handled by John Menzies (through THE Games), Nintendo's UK distributor until 2001.

Games that are released in the UK are inconsistent with {{wp|American and British English spelling differences|British English spelling}}. For example, spelling variations such as ''color'' and ''center'' are not changed for the UK releases. This is due to most games using a single English translation as localised by [[The Pokémon Company International]] in North America. However, the English translation of [[Pokémon Sword and Shield]] does contain some localised words such as "rubbish", "mum" and "chaps", as the [[Galar]] region is based on the UK.

[[Pokémon Battle Revolution]]'s {{pmin|France|French}}, {{pmin|Germany|German}}, {{pmin|Italy|Italian}}, and {{pmin|Spain|Spanish}} announcer lines were recorded here.

===Event Pokémon===
Prior to [[Generation IV]], [[event Pokémon]] were sporadically released in the UK. An event in 2005 known as "The Hunt for Deoxys" was held at Vue cinemas for two days each across the country, where players of {{game|FireRed and LeafGreen|s}} and {{game|Emerald}} were able to download the [[AuroraTicket]]. The introduction of Wi-Fi events in Generation IV has allowed UK players access to many events, including previously unavailable event Pokémon; prior to this, very few event Pokémon were made available to UK players, and when events at malls and other stores were held, many parts of the country were overlooked. Since [[Generation V]], in-store events have become much more widespread across the country.

==Pokémon anime==
===Sky One===
[[File:Sky1.png|thumb|200px|Sky One logo since 2020]]
{{wp|Sky One}} was a British pay television channel owned and operated by {{wp|Sky Group|Sky}}, a subsidiary of {{wp|Comcast}},<ref>[https://www.ft.com/content/b402969a-cbd5-11e8-b276-b9069bde0956 ''Comcast completes Sky deal'' - Financial Times] (retrieved 20 May 2020)</ref> that first began broadcasting on 26 April 1982 and served (along with sister channel {{wp|Sky Atlantic}}) as the flagship channel for {{wp|Sky UK}} and {{wp|Sky Ireland}}. The channel ceased broadcast on 31 August 2021 and was replaced with two new channels; {{wp|Sky Showcase}} and {{wp|Sky Max}}.

[[S01|Season one]] of the anime first began airing on Sky One<ref>[https://www.awn.com/news/pokemon-sold-europe ''POKEMON sold to Europe'' - Animation World Network (April 2, 1999)]</ref> on 29 March 1999, on weekday mornings at 9am. Sky One was the first-run and main broadcaster for the Pokémon anime for the first seven seasons.

In May 2004, Sky One's first-run pay rights to the first three seasons expired, with [[4Kids Entertainment]] signing a third-window deal with [[Cartoon Network]] to also air the seasons on the Toonami channel in addition to Sky One. Sky One retained the rights to first-run [[S07|season seven]].<ref name="3rdwindow">[https://www.c21media.net/news/3rd-window-uk-deal-for-pokemon/ ''3rd window UK deal for Pokemon'' - C21 Media] (retrieved 18 September 2021)</ref> 

In 2005, 4Kids' deal with Cartoon Network was extended, which fully moved the pay-rights to new episodes of the Pokémon anime to Toonami starting from [[S08|season eight]].<ref name="Toonami">[https://web.archive.org/web/20060314070919/http://www.worldscreen.com/newscurrent.php?filename=4kids620.htm ''4Kids in New U.K. Pokémon Deal'' - World Screen] (archived from the original 14 March 2006; retrieved 22 February 2021)</ref> Despite this, Sky One continued to rerun older episodes on weekends until the channel's removal of all remaining children's programs following it's rebrand at the end of August 2008.

====Sky Replay====
{{wp|Sky Replay}} (originally Sky One Mix, then Sky Mix and Sky Two) is a British pay television channel operated by Sky as a sister channel to Sky Showcase, Sky Max and {{wp|Sky Witness}}, and repeats programmes from these three networks.

The channel launched in December 2002, and between then and the anime moving to Toonami, episodes were aired on Sky One Mix on an irregular basis.

===ITV===
[[File:ITV Logo.png|thumb|200px|ITV channel logo until 14 November 2022]]
{{wp|ITV (TV network)|ITV}} is a British {{wp|free-to-air}} television network first launched on 22 September 1955.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/september/22/newsid_3131000/3131477.stm ''On This Day - 1955: New TV channel ends BBC monopoly'' - BBC News] (retrieved 20 May 2020)</ref> The network is split into 14 regional licences and a "national breakfast time" licence. These licences were originally awarded to separate companies that would produce local programming for their region as well as sharing programmes across the network. However, these companies eventually merged and by 2015<ref>[https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/itv-buys-irish-broadcaster-utv-for-100m-a6700716.html ''ITV buys Irish broadcaster UTV for £100m'' - The Independent] (retrieved 20 May 2020)</ref> the network was made up of three channels owned by two companies; {{wp|ITV1}} and {{wp|UTV (TV channel)|UTV}} owned by {{wp|ITV plc}} and {{wp|STV (TV channel)|STV}} owned by the {{wp|STV Group}} (with the UTV channel being fully absorbed into the ITV channel in 2020). The two channels broadcast largely the same content, although there continue to be local news broadcasts in the 14 regional areas.

From 1999 to 2001 and in 2003, the Pokémon anime aired as part of the program ''{{wp|SMTV Live|SM:TV Live}}'', a Saturday-morning children's television programme which aired between 29 August 1998 and 27 December 2003 across the ITV network. Between 1999 and 2001, the [[Who's That Pokémon?]] segment of anime episodes was replaced by former SMTV hosts {{wp|Ant & Dec}} (and often other celebrity guests) performing a "[[Pokérap|PokéRap]]"<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSsp-Gpx1VE ''B*Witched - PokéRap - SM:TV Live 2000'' - VHS-Portal] (YouTube) (retrieved 20 May 2020)</ref> or "Pokéfight"<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l08XV0nuhfE ''Bryan Westlife Pokemon- Ant & Dec'' - Julesy83] (YouTube) (retrieved 20 May 2020)</ref> {{wp|SMTV Live#Sketches|sketch}} instead.

====GMTV====
Between 1 January 1993 and November 2009, the "national breakfast time" licence was held by {{wp|GMTV}} (who were then acquired by ITV plc). 

Between September 1999 and April 2003, GMTV aired the Pokémon anime as part of it's Sunday ''Up on the Roof'' block, airing episodes from [[S01|season one]], [[S02|two]], [[S03|three]], and [[S04|four]].

On 6 June 2004, the anime returned to Up on the Roof when [[S06|season six]] began airing, with one new episode every week. The series was removed from the block by mid-October, reaching up to the episode ''[[AG020|Brave the Wave]]''. This was due to the news of the block being axed alongside it's sister ''Diggin' It'' in favor of a newly-merged block.<ref>[http://pkmn.net/?action=news&page=viewnews&id=442/ ''Up On The Roof Axed!'' - PKMN.NET] (retrieved 20 May 2020)</ref>

[[File:CITV.png|thumb|200px|CITV logo since 2013]]

====CITV====
{{wp|CITV}} (short for Children's ITV) was a late afternoon children's television block on the ITV network from 3 January 1983<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-20780372 ''CITV set for classic kids TV weekend'' - BBC News] (retrieved 21 May 2020)</ref> until late 2006. 

Beginning in 1999, Pokémon aired regularly during the block, starting with [[S01|season one]] and [[S02|two]], mainly within the ''SMTV Live'' programme.

On 11 March 2006, CITV launched as a separate channel,<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20060301023815/http://media247.co.uk/skydigital/newsarchive/2006/02/citv_to_launch.php ''CITV to launch on Sky in May'' - Media 247] (archived from the original 1 March 2006; retrieved 21 May 2020)</ref> owned and operated by ITV plc, that broadcasts from 6am to 6pm daily, until 22 February 2016 when the channel extended its on-air hours to 9pm. Between 2006 and July 2010, the CITV channel (including Pokémon episodes) was often simulcast on {{wp|ITV 4}} during that channel's ''GMTV2'' block.

Since its launch, the CITV channel has shown the terrestrial premiere of [[S09|season nine]] and was the main British broadcaster for ''[[Pokémon the Series: Black & White]]'', ''[[Pokémon the Series: XY]]'' and ''[[Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon]]'', including their respective movies. In the mid-2010s, CITV also reaired ''[[Pokémon the Series: Diamond and Pearl]]'' and ''[[Pokémon the Series: Ruby and Sapphire]]'', alongside their respective movies, and aired ''[[Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time & Darkness]]''.

Between 27 May 2014 and 30 May 2014, all four episodes of ''[[Pokémon Origins]]'' aired on the channel and on 9 April 2016, to mark the beginning of [[S19|series 19]], a mini-marathon including the ''[[Mega Evolution Specials]]'', [[M03|movie three]] and [[M18|movie 18]] aired. On 1 January 2019, the channel held the UK television premiere of [[M21|movie 21]].

On 23 April 2020, it was announced that [[S23|season 23]] of the anime would air exclusively on rival channel POP<ref name="pop">[https://pokemon.gamespress.com/The-Pokemon-Company-International-Reveals-New-Animation-Trailer-and-De ''The Pokémon Company International Reveals New Animation Trailer and Details for Pokémon Journeys: The Series'' - The Pokémon Company International] (retrieved 22 February 2021)</ref> from 1 September 2020. With this, the show no longer broadcasts on CITV.

The CITV channel closed down on 1 September 2023, in favour of an upcoming children's hub on ITVX, called ITVX Kids, which launched in July 2023. On 2 September 2023, the children's block was moved to feature every morning on ITV2 during breakfast time, 05:00 to 09:00. Shows broadcast are from ITVX Kids, featured on the streaming service ITVX. This block retains the CITV branding after the channel's closure.

====ITVX====
[[File:ITVXLogo.png|thumb|150px|ITVX logo]]
{{wp|ITVX}} (formerly ITV Hub, and originally known as ITV Player) is an ad-supported streaming {{wp|video on demand}} service, owned and operated by ITV plc, that launched as a unified service on 5 December 2008.<ref>[https://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/itvs-catch-rebranded-itv-player/867729 ''ITV's Catch Up rebranded ITV Player'' - Campaign] (retrieved 22 February 2021)</ref> The service offers programmes shown on the ITV network and its sister channels (including CITV). The service is available via the ITV website and dedicated apps for {{wp|iOS}}, {{wp|Android (operating system)|Android}} or {{wp|Smart TV}} devices.

Episodes of the Pokémon anime were available on the service for up to 30 days after their broadcast on the CITV channel. On 1 September 2020, [[S23|season 23]] began airing on POP, and Pokémon stopped being available on ITV Hub shortly thereafter.

===Cartoon Network===
{{wp|Cartoon Network (British and Irish TV channel|Cartoon Network}} (commonly abbreviated as CN) is a British pay television channel aimed at children that airs animated programming targeting children and young aged 6 to 12. It is run by Warner Bros. Discovery under its EMEA division.

During the time of its parent company holding pay-rights to the anime, Cartoon Network broadcast the UK premiere of [[S09|season nine]] and the UK premieres of the films ''[[M08|Lucario and the Mystery of Mew]] and [[M09|Pokémon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea]]''. It also ran [[S10|season ten]] shortly after Cartoon Network Too's broadcast of it.

=====Cartoon Network Too=====
[[File:CartoonNetworkToo-logo.png|thumb|200px|Cartoon Network Too logo until May 2012]]
{{main|Cartoon Network}}
{{wp|Cartoon Network Too}} was a children's channel owned and operated by {{wp|Turner Broadcasting System|Turner Broadcasting System Europe}} (a subsidiary of {{wp|WarnerMedia}}) that aired between 24 May 2007 and 1 April 2014 (having previously been broadcasting as {{wp|Toonami (British and Irish TV channel)|Toonami}} since September 2003).

In May 2004, Toonami began re-airing the first three seasons of the anime as part of a new third-window deal with 4Kids Entertainment.<ref name="3rdwindow" />

''[[Pokémon Chronicles]]'' held its world premiere on Toonami UK, airing between 11 May 2005 and 5 October 2005<ref name="Toonami" /> and then broadcast the UK premieres of [[S08|season eight]]<ref>{{n|Toonami UK snags Pokémon: Advanced Battle|''Toonami UK snags Pokémon: Advanced Battle'' - Bulbanews}} (retrieved 22 February 2021)</ref> and [[S10|ten]]. The channel later began to re-broadcast all other existing episodes of the anime as well.

In 2008 [[S11|season 11]] premiered on rival channel Jetix, although Cartoon Network Too continued to show repeats of older seasons until late 2010.

===Disney XD===
[[File:Disney XD Logo.png|thumb|150px|Disney XD logo]]
{{main|Disney XD}} 
{{wp|Disney XD (British and Irish TV channel)|Disney XD (UK)}} was a British children's channel owned and operated by [[The Walt Disney Company#Disney Channels Worldwide|Disney Channels Worldwide]] that aired between 2 October 1996 and 1 October 2020.<ref>[https://www.theverge.com/2020/6/25/21303043/disney-channel-united-kingdom-xd-streaming-plus-new-zealand-sky-comcast ''Disney is eliminating Disney Channel in the UK, moving titles to Disney Plus'' - The Verge]  (retrieved 22 February 2021)</ref> Originally named {{wp|Fox Kids}}, the channel was rebranded as {{wp|Jetix}} in January 2005<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20150222015625/http://www.jetixeurope.com/site/press_office/press_releases/2004-01-08_-_jetix_launch.html ''ABC Cable Networks Group, Fox Kids Europe And Fox Kids Latin America Launch Jetix As New Global Action-adventure Kids Programming Business'' - Jetix Europe] (archived from the original 22 February 2015; retrieved 22 February 2021)</ref> and then as Disney XD in August 2009.<ref>[https://www.digitalspy.com/media/a148638/jetix-to-become-disney-xd/ ''Jetix to become Disney XD'' - Digital Spy] (retrieved 22 February 2021)</ref>

Beginning in late 2008, [[S11|season 11]] premiered on Jetix as part of a global deal between Jetix Europe and Pokémon USA, Inc. The anime continued to be broadcast on the rebranded Disney XD up until [[S17|season 17]] in 2014, with the channel also airing [[M10|movies 10]] - [[M16|16]] during this time. The series was then dropped by the channel and CITV became the exclusive home of season premieres until [[S23|season 23]].

===POP===
[[File:Pop channel logo.png|thumb|200px|POP logo]]
[[File:Pop Player logo.png|thumb|150px|POP Player logo]]
{{wp|Pop (British and Irish TV channel)|POP}} and sister channel {{wp|Pop Max|POP Max}}, are children's television channels owned and operated by Narrative Capital. POP launched on 1 October 2002 as Toons & Tunes before rebranding in May 2003. POP Max launched as Kix! on 19 May 2008 before rebranding in August 2017. Both channels were launched by {{wp|CSC Media Group}}, which was acquired by {{wp|Sony Pictures Television}} on 15 August 2014.<ref>[https://tbivision.com/2014/08/15/sony-closes-csc-deal-ups-kate-marsh/317571/ ''Sony closes CSC deal, ups Kate Marsh'' - Television Business International] (retrieved 22 February 2021)</ref> On 25 May 2021, Sony Pictures Television sold its UK channels to Narrative Capital.<ref>[https://variety.com/2021/tv/global/sony-channels-uk-sold-narrative-1234972645/ ''Sony Pictures Television U.K. Channels Sold to U.S. Investment Firm Narrative Capital'' - Variety] (retrieved 21 June 2021)</ref>

On 1 January 2018, POP Max began airing episodes from ''[[Pokémon the Series: Black & White]]'', and from 29 October 2018, episodes from ''[[Pokémon the Series: XY]]''. These seasons were also shown on POP, and beginning on 4 March 2019, POP and POP Max started airing ''[[Pokémon the Series: Diamond and Pearl]]'' followed by the [[original series]] in May 2019. In May 2020, POP began airing ''[[Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon]]'', while POP Max re-aired ''Pokémon the Series: XY''.

The POP website features a ''Pokémon Picture Puzzler'' {{wp|sliding puzzle}} game based on ''[[Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon]]'',<ref>[https://www.popfun.co.uk/games/pokemon-puzzle-game ''Pokémon Picture Puzzler'' - POP] (retrieved 22 February 2021)</ref> as well as a page about the [[Pokémon 25th Anniversary]].<ref>[https://www.popfun.co.uk/special/pokemon-day-celebrate-25th-anniversary ''Pokémon Day | Celebrate the 25th anniversary'' - POP] (retrieved 22 February 2021)</ref>

On 23 April 2020 it was announced that POP would gain the exclusive first-run rights to the Pokémon anime,<ref name="pop" /> and on 25 May 2020 the first four episodes of [[S23|season 23]] aired on the channel as a preview. On 1 September 2020, the season premiered on the channel.

====POP Player====
POP Player is streaming {{wp|video on demand}} service, owned and operated by Narrative Capital that launched on 4 December 2017. The service features shows from {{wp|Tiny Pop}}, POP and POP Max and is available via dedicated apps for {{wp|iOS}}, {{wp|Android (operating system)|Android}}, {{wp|PlayStation 4}} and other {{wp|Smart TV}} platforms.<ref>[https://www.popfun.co.uk/special/pop-player ''POP Player'' - POP] (retrieved 22 February 2021)</ref>

POP Player features episodes of [[S23|Pokémon Journeys: The Series]], [[S24|Pokémon Master Journeys: The Series]] and [[S25|Pokémon Ultimate Journeys: The Series]].

===BBC===
The {{wp|BBC|British Broadcasting Corporation}} is the world's oldest national broadcaster, having been founded on 1 January 1927, and is the primary public service broadcaster in the UK.<ref>[https://www.bbc.com/historyofthebbc/timelines/1920s/ ''History of the BBC - 1920s'' - BBC] (retrieved 22 February 2021)</ref> The BBC, and its subsidiary {{wp|BBC Studios}}, operate several national and international television and radio services, extensive online services, and its {{wp|BBC News}} division is the world's largest broadcast news organisation.

On 20 July 2021, the BBC acquired rights to ''[[Pokémon the Series: Diamond and Pearl]]'' and ''[[Pokémon the Series: Black and White]]'' for {{wp|BBC iPlayer}} and the rights to air the eight movies linked to those series on the {{wp|CBBC (TV channel)|CBBC channel}} as well as iPlayer.<ref>[https://www.licensing.biz/pokemon-is-heading-to-the-bbc-for-the-first-time-as-iplayer-catches-series-and-movies/ ''Pokémon is heading to the BBC for the first time as iPlayer catches series and movies'' - Licensing.biz] (retrieved 18 September 2021)</ref>

In July 2022, the BBC acquired rights to ''[[Pokémon the Series: Sun and Moon]]'' and the respective movies to the series.

On 9 November 2023, it was announced that CBBC and BBC iPlayer would become the official new home for the Pokémon anime when they acquired the rights to ''[[Pokémon Horizons: The Series]]'' for a December air schedule.

====BBC iPlayer====
[[File:BBC iPlayer logo.png|thumb|200px|BBC iPlayer logo as of 2022]]
{{wp|BBC iPlayer}} is a {{wp|video on demand}} service, owned and operated by the BBC, that launched on 25 December 2007.<ref>[https://www.techradar.com/uk/news/internet/5-years-on-how-the-bbc-iplayer-sparked-a-tv-revolution-1120558 ''5 years on: How the BBC iPlayer sparked a TV revolution'' - TechRadar] (retrieved 18 September 2021)</ref> The service is available to {{wp|Television licensing in the United Kingdom|television licence}} holders, offers programmes shown on the BBC's channels in the last 12 months, archived content, shows from Welsh-language broadcaster {{wp|S4C}} and programmes exclusively made or acquired for the platform and/or the BBC.

Since the acquisition of the Anime, seasons and films have been added to iPlayer on a periodic basis.

{| class="roundy" style="width:auto; text-align:center; background: #ccf; border: 3px solid blue;"
! Season/Film name
! Premiere Date
|- style="background:#FFF"
|[[S10|Season 10]]
| 2 August 2021
|- style="background:#FFF"
|[[S11|Season 11]]
| 2 August 2021
|- style="background:#FFF"
|''[[M10|The Rise of Darkrai]]''
| 2 August 2021
|- style="background:#FFF"
|''[[M11|Giratina and the Sky Warrior]]''
| 2 August 2021
|- style="background:#FFF"
| [[S12|Season 12]]
| 22 October 2021
|- style="background:#FFF"
|''[[M12|Arceus and the Jewel of Life]]''
| 22 October 2021
|- style="background:#FFF"
| [[S13|Season 13]]
| 3 December 2021
|- style="background:#FFF"
| ''[[M13|Zoroark: Master of Illusions]]''
| 3 December 2021
|- style="background:#FFF"
| [[S14|Season 14]]
| 3 December 2021
|- style="background:#FFF"
|''[[M14|Black—Victini and Reshiram]]''
| 3 December 2021
|- style="background:#FFF"
|''[[M14|White—Victini and Zekrom]]''
| 3 December 2021
|- style="background:#FFF"
| [[S14|Season 14]]
| 18 February 2022
|- style="background:#FFF"
| [[S15|Season 15]]
| 18 February 2022
|- style="background:#FFF"
| ''[[M15|Kyurem VS. The Sword of Justice]]''
| 18 February 2022
|- style="background:#FFF"
| ''[[M16|Genesect and the Legend Awakened]]''
| 18 February 2022
|- style="background:#FFF"
| [[S20|Season 20]]
| 14 July 2022
|- style="background:#FFF"
|''[[M20|I Choose You!]]''
| 14 July 2022
|- style="background:#FFF"
|''[[M21|The Power of Us]]''
| 14 July 2022
|- style="background:#FFF"
|[[S21|Season 21]]
| 11 November 2022
|- style="background:#FFF"
|[[S22|Season 22]]
| 30 January 2023
|- style="background:#FFF"
|[[S17|Season 17]]
|1 November 2023
|- style="background:#FFF"
|[[S18|Season 18]]
|1 November 2023
|- style="background:#FFF"
|[[S19|Season 19]]
|1 November 2023
|- style="background:#FFF"
|''[[M17|Diancie and the Cocoon of Destruction]]''
|1 November 2023
|- style="background:#FFF"
|''[[M18|Hoopa and the Clash of Ages]]''
|1 November 2023
|- style="background:#FFF"
|''[[M19|Volcanion and the Mechanical Marvel]]''
|1 November 2023
|- style="background:#FFF"
|''[[Pokémon Horizons: The Series]]''
|1 December 2023
|}

====CBBC====
[[File:Cbbc 2023.png|thumb|150px|CBBC logo as of 15 March 2023]]
{{wp|CBBC (TV channel)|CBBC}} (short for Children's BBC) is a children's television channel owned by the BBC. The channel launched on 11 February 2002,<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2002/01_january/07/cbbcdate.shtml ''CBBC digital channels go live on Monday 11th February 2002'' - BBC Press Office] (retrieved 18 September 2021)</ref> and broadcasts from 7am to 7pm daily. Between 1985 and 2013, CBBC was also a block on the {{wp|BBC One}} and {{wp|BBC Two}} channels with BBC Two briefly reviving the block in 2017 and 2022 respectively.

Initially, CBBC was only intended to broadcast the movies but later began airing the television series as well.

On 26 May 2022, the BBC announced plans for CBBC and {{wp|BBC Four}} to be discontinued as linear television services in 2025 as part of cutbacks and other changes focusing on creating a "digital-first" BBC. Under the plan, CBBC would exclusively operate as a content hub on iPlayer.<ref>[https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-61591674 ''BBC to move CBBC and BBC Four online'' - BBC News] (retrieved 19 November 2023)</ref><ref>[https://deadline.com/2022/05/bbc-close-cbbc-bbc-four-linear-channels-1000-redundancies-expected-public-broadcaster-next-few-years-1235033365 ''BBC To Close CBBC & BBC Four As Linear Channels; 1,000 Jobs At Risk As Public Broadcaster Begins Its "Digital First" Push'' - Deadline] (retrieved 19 November 2023)</ref>

=====Film Premiere Dates=====
{| class="roundy" style="width:auto; text-align:center; background: #ccf; border: 3px solid blue;"
! Film name
! Premiere Date
|- style="background:#FFF"
| ''[[M10|The Rise of Darkrai]]''
| 7 August 2021<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p09qh6p4 ''Pokémon: The Rise of Darkrai'' - CBBC] (retrieved 18 September 2021)</ref>
|- style="background:#FFF"
|''[[M11|Giratina and the Sky Warrior]]''
| 14 August 2021<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p09qh70p ''Giratina and the Sky Warrior'' - CBBC] (retrieved 18 September 2021)</ref>
|- style="background:#FFF"
|''[[M12|Arceus and the Jewel of Life]]''
| 23 October 2021
|- style="background:#FFF"
|''[[M13|Zoroark: Master of Illusions]]''
|11 December 2021
|- style="background:#FFF"
|''[[M14|White—Victini and Zekrom]]''
|18 December 2021
|- style="background:#FFF"
|''[[M14|Black—Victini and Reshiram]]''
|21 December 2021
|- style="background:#FFF"
|''[[M15|Kyurem vs. the Sword of Justice]]''
|23 February 2022
|- style="background:#FFF"
|''[[M16|Genesect and the Legend Awakened]]''
|24 February 2022
|- style="background:#FFF"
|''[[M20|I Choose You!]]''
|30 July 2022
|- style="background:#FFF"
|''[[M21|The Power of Us]]''
|27 August 2022
|- style="background:#FFF"
|''[[M17|Diancie and the Cocoon of Destruction]]''
|17 November 2023
|- style="background:#FFF"
|''[[M18|Hoopa and the Clash of Ages]]''
|1 December 2023
|- style="background:#FFF"
|''[[M19|Volcanion and the Mechanical Marvel]]''
|16 December 2023
|}

=====TV series premiere dates=====
The first four episodes of [[S10|Season 10]] premiered on CBBC on 1 January 2022, as part of a mini-marathon with ''Black—Victini and Reshiram''. Two episodes aired on the channel's morning schedule every Saturday afterwards.

[[S11|Season 11]] began airing on 14 February 2022, with two episodes airing every weekday during the half term. The season has since aired in random blocks on the network.

[[S20|Season 20]] premiered on CBBC on 25 July 2022, with episodes airing every weekday during the summer holidays. [[S21|Season 21]] followed on 31 December 2022, and [[S22|Season 22]] on 13 February 2023.

[[S17|Season 17]] premiered on CBBC on 25 November 2023.

[[Pokémon Horizons: The Series|Pokémon Horizons]] premiered on CBBC on 4 December 2023.

===Other digital distribution===
The Pokémon anime is also available on [[Pokémon TV]], [[Prime Video]], [[Google Play]], [[YouTube]], the [[iTunes Store]] and {{wp|Now (Sky)|Now}} in the UK.
{| class="roundy" width="50%" style="text-align: center; padding: 2px; background:#2E83D2; border: 2px solid #81807A"
|- style="background: #6AA9E4;"
! style="{{roundytl|5px}}; width: 210px;" | Service 
! style="{{roundytr|5px}};" | Available content
|- style="background: #FFF;"
| [[File:Pokémon TV.png|100px]] <br />[[Pokémon TV]]
| ''See: [[Pokémon TV]]''
|- style="background: #FFF;"
| [[File:Prime Video logo.png|200px]] <br />[[Prime Video]]
| rowspan=3 | ''See: [[List of digital home video releases of Pokémon animation]]''
|- style="background: #FFF;"
| [[File:ITunes Store Icon.png|100px]] <br />[[iTunes Store]]
|- style="background: #FFF;"
| [[File:Google Play logo.png|200px]] <br />[[Google Play]]<br />[[File:YouTube Logo 2017.png|200px]] <br/> [[YouTube]]
|- style="background: #FFF;"
| [[File:Netflix logo.png|175px]] <br />[[Netflix]] 
| ''See: [[Netflix]]''
|- style="background: #FFF;"
| [[File:Now TV logo.png|200px]] <br />{{wp|Now (Sky)|Now}} 
| style="text-align: left;" | '''Anime'''
* [[S10|Season 10]]<ref>[https://www.nowtv.com/watch/pokemon-diamond-and-pearl/d7f854dbc9481610VgnVCM1000000b43150a____ ''Watch Pokemon-Diamond And Pearl'' - Now TV] (retrieved 22 February 2021)</ref>
'''Movies'''
* ''[[M12|Arceus and the Jewel of Life]]''<ref>[https://www.nowtv.com/watch/pokemon-arceus-and-the-jewel-of-life-2010/A5EK3JYiLcazDfpjwmARw ''Watch Pokemon: Arceus And The Jewel of Life'' - Now TV] (retrieved 22 February 2021)</ref>
* ''[[M14|White—Victini and Zekrom]]''<ref>[https://www.nowtv.com/watch/pokemon-the-movie-white-victini-2015/A5EK3Pw87R37ejkbQ43tS ''Watch Pokemon the Movie: White-Victini'' - Now TV] (retrieved 22 February 2021)</ref>
* ''[[M14|Black—Victini and Reshiram]]''<ref>[https://www.nowtv.com/watch/pokemon-the-movie-black-victini-2015/A5EK3Pw87R37ejjJDVHUL ''Watch Pokemon The Movie: Black-Victini'' - Now TV] (retrieved 22 February 2021)</ref>
* ''[[M15|Kyurem VS. The Sword of Justice]]''<ref>[https://www.nowtv.com/watch/pokemon-the-movie-kyurem-vs.-the-sword-of-justice-2016/A5EK3JYiLcaA8LkgQNhyQ ''Watch Pokemon The Movie: Kyurem Vs. The Sword of Justice'' - Now TV] (retrieved 22 February 2021)</ref>
* ''[[M16|Genesect and the Legend Awakened]]''<ref>[https://www.nowtv.com/watch/pokemon-the-movie-genesect-and-the-legend-awakened-2017/A5EK3Pw87R37ejtL9s8jQ ''Watch Pokemon The Movie: Genesect And The Legend Awakened'' - Now TV] (retrieved 22 February 2021)</ref>
* {{DetPikMov}}<ref>[https://www.nowtv.com/watch/pokemon-detective-pikachu-2019/A5EK6sKrAaycFET4Zn59G ''Watch Pokemon Detective Pikachu'' - Now TV] (retrieved 22 February 2021)</ref>
|-
! style="background:#6AA9E4; {{roundybottom|5px}}" colspan="2" |
|}

===Pokémon movies===
The first three Pokémon movies, ''[[M01|Mewtwo Strikes Back]]'', ''[[M02|The Power of One]]'' and ''[[M03|Spell of the Unown: Entei]]'', as well as the 20th, ''[[M20|I Choose You!]]'' and 21st, ''[[M21|The Power of Us]]'' were released in theatres accompanied by the same [[Pokémon Trading Card Game|TCG]] promotions as in the North America. ''Mewtwo Strikes Back'' was released on 14 April 2000, to coincide with the two week Easter school holidays, ''The Power of One'' on 22 December 2000, ''Spell of the Unown: Entei'' on 6 April 2001 and ''The Power of Us'' on 24 November 2019. The first three movies were released on VHS, DVD and Blu-ray while the 20th and 21st only DVD and Blu-ray.

Every movie after the first three would be released on an irregular basis. Both the 4th, ''[[M04|Celebi: The Voice of the Forest]]'' and 5th, ''[[M05|Pokémon Heroes: Latios & Latias]]'' movies were released directly to DVD in 2003 and 2005 respectively, while the 6th movie, ''[[M06|Jirachi: Wish Maker]]'' was released on DVD in 2006. In the same year, the 8th, ''[[M08|Lucario and the Mystery of Mew]]'' and 9th movies, ''[[M09|Pokémon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea]]'' aired on Cartoon Network, but would not make video releases until 2015 when they were {{n|Eighth and ninth Pokémon movies are now available on iTunes|released on iTunes}}. In 2008, the 10th movie, ''[[M10|The Rise of Darkrai]]'' was released on DVD. All Pokémon movies from the 11th, ''[[M11|Giratina and the Sky Warrior]]'' onward would be aired on both CITV and Disney XD a short time after being aired in North America. In 2012, seven years after the North America release, the 7th movie, ''[[M07|Destiny Deoxys]]'', finally appeared in the UK when it was released on DVD.

Additionally, the special episode ''[[Mewtwo Returns]]'', marketed as a direct-to-video movie outside of Japan, saw a UK release on VHS. It is unknown why a DVD version was never released.

''{{DetPikMov}}'', the live-action movie filmed in London, was released in the UK on 10 May 2019.

The 22nd movie, [[M22|Mewtwo Strikes Back—Evolution]] was released in the UK on [[Pokémon Day]], 27 February 2020, while the 23rd, [[M23|Secrets of the Jungle]] was released in the UK on 8 October 2021.

Movies 20 - 23 and ''Detective Pikachu'' are available for download on [[Netflix]] (<small>Subscription required</small>).

==Pokémon manga==
[[Pokémon manga]] licensed and translated into English is distributed in the UK by [[VIZ Media]], including [[Pokémon Diamond and Pearl Adventure!]] and the popular [[Pokémon Adventures]] series.

==Pokémon Trading Card Game==
The [[Pokémon Trading Card Game]] is sold throughout the UK, with the same release dates as in North America.

When it was first released, the game was very popular among children worldwide. In many countries, the TCG was eventually banned in most schools, because it became a "classroom distraction". Conflict between students when trading also resulted in the cards being banned from some schools. Its popularity soon began to fade, to be replaced by other popular crazes like {{wp|Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game|Yu-Gi-Oh!}} and [[Game Boy]]s, although it does see a periodic resurgence with the release of each new card set or video game.

In 2000, the {{tcg|Base Set}} fourth print run mirrored the Unlimited print, with the only difference being the copyright date, which reads "1999-2000". The English version was released exclusively in the UK and in 2020, {{tcg|Pokémon Futsal}} was also released exclusively in the UK.

==Pokémon merchandise==
[[File:POM first cover.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Cover artwork of the first issue of the 2004 [[Pokémon_Official_Magazine#Pokémon_Official_Magazine|Pokémon Official Magazine]] available in the UK]]
{{bulbanews/2|Official Pokémon Magazine to launch in UK|Fan sets Pokémon collection world record}}
The UK sees a lot of the same [[Pokémon merchandise]] that is available in North America, such as plush toys from many major department stores, though merchandise given away in fast food restaurants has seen a decline. Some collectibles, such as the [[Pokémon Advanced Action Cards]], were sold throughout Europe but not in North America. The Pokémon brand remains as popular as ever and merchandise that can't be found in stores, such as {{wp|Asda|ASDA}}, {{wp|Game (retailer)|GAME}} or {{wp|W H Smith}}, can be acquired online.

In 2001, a [[Pokémon Daily Express CD-ROM|promotional CD-ROM]] was released in the {{wp|Daily Express}}. When played in a CD player, it would play a sample of the song {{so|Gotta Catch 'Em All}} by 50.Grind. When played in a computer, additional features could be accessed, such as desktop wallpapers, the music video to Gotta Catch 'Em All and other content.

First published in 2000, [[Pocket World]], originally launched as Pokémon World, did not exclusively cover Pokémon, being made up of several other franchises that involve 'cartoon brands starring monsters' (such as {{wp|Moshi Monsters}}, {{wp|Bakugan}} and {{wp|Redakai}}). It finished in 2015 with Issue 174.

In 2004, [[Pokémon_Official_Magazine#Pokémon_Official_Magazine|Pokémon Official Magazine]] was launched. It was intended to have a quarterly release schedule, but was cancelled after its second issue due to poor sales.

In February 2013, Future Publishing announced that it would begin publication of [[Pokémon_Official_Magazine#Official_Pokémon_Magazine|Official Pokémon Magazine]] from March that year with a publishing schedule of 13 issues per year. It was cancelled after 13 issues.

In March  2017, {{wp|Immediate Media Company}} began publishing [[Pokémon_Official_Magazine#Pokémon_Magazine|Pokémon Magazine]].<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20210803161005/https://www.inpublishing.co.uk/articles/immediate-launches-pokemon-magazine-3456 ''Immediate launches Pokémon Magazine'' - InPublishing] (archived from the original 3 August 2021; retrieved 6 July 2021)</ref> Each issue includes information on the anime, TCG and video games, and comes with posters and free gifts. The magazine is published monthly, and is still in publication as of April 2023.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20230403162149/https://www.gamesmags.com/Pokemon-79 ''Pokémon magazine'' - GamesMags.com] (archived from the original 3 April 2023; retrieved 3 April 2023)</ref>

Pokémon fan {{DL|List of Guinness World Records for the Pokémon franchise|Lisa Courtney}} holds the {{wp|Guiness World Record}} for having the largest collection of Pokémon memorabilia, over 17 thousand items.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20150316180831/https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/largest-collection-of-pokemon-memorabilia ''The largest collection of Pokémon memorabilia'' - {{wp|Guinness World Records}}] (archived from the original 16 March 2015; retrieved 3 April 2023)</ref>

==Events==
{{bulbanews/3|Tenth anniversary event tours United Kingdom|Pokémon Adventure Tour UK events announced|Pokémon Animation Studio attraction to open in London}}
An eight-city tour was held in the UK in commemoration of the [[Pokémon 10th Anniversary]]. Ten {{DL|List of English event Pokémon distributions in Generation III|Top 10 Distribution Pokémon|event Pokémon}} were distributed at the events &mdash; {{p|Charizard}}, {{p|Pikachu}}, {{p|Articuno}}, {{p|Raikou}}, {{p|Entei}}, {{p|Suicune}}, {{p|Lugia}}, {{p|Ho-Oh}}, {{p|Latias}} and {{p|Latios}}. These ten Pokémon were chosen by Nintendo of Europe following a popularity poll earlier in the year. Other activities at the events included [[Pokémon Trading Card Game]] and [[Pokémon Trading Figure Game]] stations and {{pkmn|anime}} episode screenings.

[[File:Pokémon Center London logo.png|right|200px]]
{| class="roundy" style="width:auto; text-align:center; background: #ccf; border: 3px solid blue;"
|- 
! Date
! Location
|- style="background:#fff"
| 14-15 October 2006
| {{wp|Southampton}}, West Quay
|- style="background:#fff"
| 21-22 October 2006
| {{wp|Manchester}}, Trafford Centre
|- style="background:#fff"
| 23-24 October 2006
| {{wp|Newcastle}}, Metro Centre
|- style="background:#fff"
| 26-27 October 2006
| {{wp|London}}, Lakeside
|- style="background:#fff"
| 28-29 October 2006
| {{wp|Cardiff}}, Capitol
|- style="background:#fff"
| 4-5 November 2006
| {{wp|Glasgow}}, Buchanan Galleries
|- style="background:#fff"
| 11-12 November 2006
| {{wp|Milton Keynes}}, The Centre
|- style="background:#fff"
| style="{{roundybl|5px}}" | 18-19 November 2006
| style="{{roundybr|5px}}" | {{wp|Birmingham}}, The Bull Ring
|}

[[File:2022 Pokémon World Championships logo.png|right|200px]]
Between 18 October and 15 November 2019, a temporary [[Pokémon Center (store)#United Kingdom|Pokémon Center]] opened at the {{wp|Westfield London}} mall in {{wp|White City, London|White City}}, {{wp|London}}<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20190813170327/https://www.pokemon.com/uk/pokemon-news/a-pokemon-center-pop-up-store-opens-in-london-this-october/ ''A Pokémon Center Pop-Up Store Opens in London This October'' - Pokemon.com] (archived from the original 13 August 2019; retrieved 22 February 2021)</ref> to celebrate the release of [[Pokémon Sword and Shield]] games.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20190614125031/https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-news/we-interview-junichi-masuda-and-shigeru-ohmori-about-pokemon-sword-and-pokemon-shield/ ''We Interview Junichi Masuda and Shigeru Ohmori about Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield'' - Pokemon.com] (archived from the original 14 June 2019; retrieved 22 February 2021)</ref>

===2022 World Championships===
{{Main| 2022 World Championships}}
{{Bulbagarden|forum|294150|2022 Pokémon World Championships recap - Champions, announcements for Scarlet and Violet, the TCG, Masters EX and UNITE, 2023's location, and more}}
The 2022 World Championships were held in {{wp|ExCeL London}}, at {{wp|Royal Victoria Dock}}, from 18 to 21 August 2022. It was the seventeenth invitation-only championships for [[Pokémon Trading Card Game]] players, the twelfth for Pokémon video games players, the fifth for [[Pokkén Tournament]] players and the first for players of [[Pokémon GO]] and [[Pokémon UNITE]].

Initially intended to be held in August 2020, they were cancelled due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], first moved to August 2021,<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20200403190905/https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-news/2020-pokemon-championship-series-canceled/ ''2020 Pokémon Championship Series Canceled'' - Pokemon.com] (archived from the original 3 April 2020; retrieved 20 March 2023)</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20200702200030/https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-news/play-pokemon-2021-championship-series-information/ ''Play! Pokémon 2021 Championship Series Information'' - Pokemon.com] (archived from the original 2 July 2020; retrieved 20 March 2023)</ref> subsequently moved to 2022.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20210209160624/https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-news/next-pokemon-tcg-video-game-and-pokken-tournament-dx-world-championships-moved-to-2022-in-london/ ''Next Pokémon TCG, Video Game, and "Pokkén Tournament DX" World Championships Moved to 2022 in London'' - Pokemon.com] (archived from the original 9 February 2021; retrieved 20 March 2023)</ref>

A pop up {{OBP|Pokémon Center|store}} was opened during the 2022 World Championships.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20230320052626/https://www.pokemoncenter.com/en-gb/worlds ''Pokémon World Championships in London'' - Pokémon Center UK Official Site] (archived from the original 20 March 2023; retrieved 20 March 2023)</ref>

===2023 Pokémon Europe International Championships===
The 2023 Pokémon Europe International Championships were held in ExCeL London, at Royal Victoria Dock, from 13 to 16 April 2023.
[[File:2023 Pokémon Europe International Championships logo.png|200px]]

==Trivia==
* {{game|Black and White|s}} were represented in the UK by ''{{wp|The X Factor (UK TV series)|The X Factor}}'' finalists {{wp|One Direction}}. The group promoted the games through television commercials and concerts, and its members have been life-long Pokémon fans.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20110429021839/http://www.ttkn.com/arts-entertainment/x-factor-stars-one-direction-revealed-as-ambassadors-for-pokemon-black-version-and-pokemon-white-version-10077.html ''X Factor star’s One Direction revealed as ambassadors for Pokémon Black Version and Pokémon White Version'' - TTKN] (archived from the original 29 April 2011; retrieved 20 March 2023)</ref> They are one of a number of acts representing Nintendo as ambassadors in the UK, which has also included {{wp|Alexandra Burke}}, {{wp|JLS}} and {{wp|The Saturdays}}.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20210730145345/https://www.nintendo-insider.com/the-saturdays-become-nintendo-ambassadors-in-latest-tv-campaign/ ''The Saturdays become Nintendo ambassadors in latest TV campaign'' - Nintendo Insider] (archived from the original 30 July 2021; retrieved 20 March 2023)</ref>
* Despite the fact there is no British English dub of the [[Pokémon anime]], many anime clips and trailers on the [https://www.youtube.com/@pokemon English Pokémon YouTube Channel] are marked with "UK". This is because those videos are uploaded by the UK office.

==External links==
* [https://www.pokemon.com/uk ''The official UK & Ireland Pokémon website'']

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{-}}
{{Pokémon around the world}}<br>
{{Project Globe notice}}

[[ja:イギリスにおけるポケモン]]