Paramount Global’s British-based general entertainment network Channel 5 screened several children’s movies on Monday while the majority of broadcasters in the country showed special coverage of Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral.
The decision appeared to be an attempt to offer counter-programming aimed at young viewers on what was a public holiday that saw most schools and work places closed for the day.
Among the titles aired on Channel 5 were Sony Pictures’ low-rated animated film “Emoji Movie,” Universal’s 2016 motion picture “Sing” and the 1999 live action adaptation of the book “Stuart Little.”
Channel 5’s competitors — including the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Sky — all showed special coverage of Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral. No broadcaster was required to air the ceremony, though most in the country did. The Queen died earlier this month at the age of 96.
Channel 5 is owned by Paramount Global, which operates several domestic and international brands, including CBS News. On Monday, CBS News interrupted normal programming in the United States to carry commercial-free coverage of the Queen’s funeral.
In addition to CBS, the Queen’s funeral was carried stateside by ABC, BBC America, BBC World News, Bloomberg, CNN, the Fox News Channel, HLN, NBC and NewsNation.
