Why Is I'm A Celeb Not On Itv

Okay, let’s be honest. You’ve just settled down with a cuppa. You’re ready for jungle grubs and Grace Dent’s latest rant. But instead, there’s a random documentary about the history of lamp posts. What is going on? Where is I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here!?

The answer is simpler than you’d think. It’s not on ITV. No, really. Don’t panic. It’s just moved house for the year.

The Big Switch: From ITV to ITVX

In 2023, the show took a wild detour. Instead of gracing your telly on ITV, it went exclusive to a streaming service. That service is ITVX. Yes, the same platform you use to watch old episodes of Love Island at 2 AM.

Why the change? Money, darling. Pure, glorious, streaming money. ITV wants you to sign up for their shiny, on-demand platform. So they dangled the jungle carrot. It worked. The launch episode was the biggest day for sign-ups in ITVX history. Sneaky, right?

But Wait—What About The Telly?

You can still watch it on your actual television. You just need a smart TV or a connected device. Open the ITVX app, find the jungle, and boom—Ant and Dec are back. It’s like a digital treasure hunt. No subscription needed, just a free account.

Even your gran can figure it out. She just might need you to press the “OK” button three times. That’s the real trial—navigating the remote control.

The Quirky History of The Move

This isn’t the first time ITV played hide-and-seek with a hit show. Britain’s Got Talent also jumped to ITVX first. But this is bigger. This is the jungle. This is where celebrities eat kangaroo testicles for breakfast.

Fun fact: The first ever series of I’m A Celeb aired in 2002. Tony Blair was Prime Minister. Nobody had a smartphone. Now? We’re streaming Ant and Dec on a tablet while microwaving a pot noodle. Progress is weird.

The Real Reason It’s Fun To Talk About

Because it’s a drama. The move sparked a national meltdown. Newspapers ran headlines like “Outrage! I’m A Celeb Ditches ITV!” Grandparents threatened to boycott. It was beautiful chaos. And it proves one thing: we really, really love watching famous people suffer in the rain.

Also, it’s a classic “TV vs. streaming” war. Old school vs. new school. I’m A Celeb became a soldier in that battle. Who won? The streaming gods. And probably Ant and Dec’s bank accounts.

The Quirky Facts That Make You Go “Huh”

Here’s a bizarre one: ITVX launched in late 2022. The first series of I’m A Celeb to air solely on it was in 2023. But the show itself started in Australia’s winter. Yep, it’s filmed in November, which is springtime Down Under. So while you’re shivering in Leeds, the celebs are sweating in 30°C heat. Lucky them.

Another odd fact: The show’s original host was and Dec… just kidding. It was actually hosted by Johnny Vegas? No. It was Ant and Dec from day one. They’ve been doing it for over twenty years. That’s longer than some celebrities’ entire careers.

What About The Highlights?

The move meant we got exclusive content. ITVX offered extra “unseen” bits. Like watching a campmate pick a bug out of their ear for two minutes. Thrilling. But also? You could pause, rewind, and skip the boring bits. No adverts? Well, fewer adverts. The jungle never felt so convenient.

And let’s not forget the streaming exclusive trials. In 2023, viewers voted via the app for a special “Nightmare Trial.” It was pure sadism. We love it.

So, Is It Ever Coming Back To ITV?

Maybe. ITV hasn’t said “never.” But right now, the jungle lives in the digital realm. It’s like a ghost in the machine. A very famous, very whiffy ghost. You can still watch highlights on ITV at 9 PM the next day. That’s the catch-up slot.

If you want the full, unfiltered, grub-covered experience? You need ITVX. Embrace it. It’s the future. Or just shout at your remote until the app works. Both are valid.

The Final, Fun Takeaway

The whole “Why Is I’m A Celeb Not On ITV?” saga is a perfect snapshot of 2024. Everything is everywhere. Nothing is simple. But it’s also a bit brilliant. We get to watch a washed-up pop star argue with a former MP about who ate the last rice cake. On our phones. In bed.

So next time you see that weird lamp post documentary, don’t panic. Just open ITVX. The jungle is waiting. And Ant and Dec are probably running late. They always are.