Why is Ideal World off air? What happened to suspended TV shopping channel and if it will return
Viewers of the home shopping channel Ideal World have been dismayed to discover that the channel has been suspended.
Fans tuning in on Freeview, Sky, Freesat and Virgin Media are now greeted with a message stating that programmes are no longer being broadcast.
Visitors to the channelâs website are told: âWe regret to inform you that Ideal World have had to temporarily suspend broadcasting and our website.
âIf you have questions please contact [email protected]â.
A email i sent to the address seeking more information prompted an automatic response which reads: âPlease be advised that due to essential maintenance we are unable to respond to your query.â
However it then contradicts this statement, claiming that the channelâs customer experience team âwill get back to you within the next 48-72 hoursâ.
What is Ideal World?
Launched in 2000, Ideal World is a British shopping channel broadcasting on Freeview, satellite and online, broadcast from studios in Peterborough.
The channel apparently crashed off ITV last month and dropped off Virgin Media last month. And at 3pm on Monday, the channel came off air altogether.
Its disappearance has prompted dismay from fans, including customers who have outstanding orders with the teleshopping broadcaster.
Ideal World has not commented on the status of existing customer orders.
Why has Ideal World been suspended?
It is currently unclear as to why Ideal World has come off air, but the company behind the channel appears to have been undergoing significant changes in recent months.
According to reports, Ideal Worldâs former owner, asset management firm Aurelius Equity Opportunities, was sold to investor Hamish Morjaria.
The Peterborough Telegraph states that documents filed at Companies House reveal that Mr Morjaria ceased to have âsignificant controlâ in February, with Sportsdirect.com Retail Ltd taking charge of the company in June.
It is understood Ideal World was put up for sale with expressions of interest due by the end of last week.
According to local news, Ideal World employs 250 people who are facing uncertainty in light of the channelâs suspension.
CambsNews report that staff have been told there are âseveral interested partiesâ in acquiring the business and that the company is hoping to share further information during the week.
âOver the weekend, the actions of a few key trading partners has added to a recent difficult trading period and therefore we have taken the decision to suspend all trading with immediate effect,â reads a statement sent to its employees.
I have an outstanding order with Ideal World. What should I do?
At this stage, the advice on Ideal Worldâs website is to contact them at [email protected].
i has contacted Ideal World for comment.