Paramount Global owned Channel 5 was the only public broadcaster in the UK that did not show any royalty-related coverage on Monday (September 19) while Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral was taking place in London.
While BBC One, BBC Two and ITV broadcast the funeral live and Channel 4 showed a documentary about the Queen, Channel 5 instead broadcast “The Emoji Movie”, inspiring plenty of fun on social media.
One viewer tweeted while another wrote: “I can’t stop thinking about The Emoji Movie on Channel 5 when the funeral is drawn from every channel showing the funeral and Channel 5 showing ‘The Emoji Movie.'”
Others joked about feeling moved by what they’re seeing on screen before revealing that they were watching “The Emoji Movie” instead of the Queen’s funeral. “It’s a rather emotional watch and there will never be anything like this again, it’s very unique and culturally significant,” one person tweeted. “Saying that, I hope they make a sequel to the Emoji movie.”
Another wrote: “I can’t believe we’re finally here, it’s going to be a very difficult watch. Good luck to everyone watching ‘The Emoji Movie’ on Channel 5 this morning.”
Meanwhile, actress Lucia Keskin tweeted: “While Her Majesty is resting, the nation pauses with great sadness to pay respects by watching The Emoji Movie on Channel 5.”
“The Emoji Movie,” released in 2017, is part of a series of children’s programming from Channel 5 that takes place on Monday mornings. The network had earlier aired “Thomas and Friends: Race for the Sodor Cup” followed by “The Adventures of Paddington”.
With the Queen’s funeral day declared a public holiday, schools were closed on Monday and it is likely Channel 5’s decision to offer an alternative to it. As one viewer wrote on Twitter: “I don’t really understand the criticism of Channel 5 for showing Emoji Movie, Stuart Little” etc during the Queen’s funeral. What are kids of families who don’t have pay TV or live broadcasts supposed to be doing, sitting and watching white people in suits looking so sad for 6 hours? “
There has been moderate criticism of the amount of coverage allocated to the Queen and members of the royal family since the King’s death on September 8. Broadcasting schedules around the world were in disarray eleven days ago after doctors declared they were “concerned” about her health, followed by confirmation of her death a few hours later.
BBC One is not yet back on any regular schedule and, along with other networks, has devoted hours of coverage to the Queen’s coffin procession from Scotland, where she died, to London, followed by her false condition as well as coverage of other members of the royal family, including King Charles III and his brothers and children.
Despite weeks of coverage, the BBC said last week it had received few complaints, especially compared to the number of complaints the foundation received after its coverage of the death of the Queen’s husband, Prince Philip, in 2021.
diverse Contact channel 5 for comment.
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