Millions of people across the world have tuned in to watch Her Majesty's funeral this morning. In the UK, the state funeral and procession is being broadcast live on BBC One, BBC Two, ITV, ITV2, ITV3, ITV4, ITVBe, Sky Showcase and Sky Max - but not on Channel 4 or Channel 5.
Whilst Channel 4 has opted for a documentary on the Queen, aptly titled 'Her Majesty The Queen,' Channel 5 has drawn attention for choosing to air something completely different - The Emoji Movie.
The 2017 computer-animated comedy film, voiced by a star-studded cast including Patrick Stewart, James Corden, Maya Rudolph and TJ Miller, follows the trials and tribulations of Gene, a "multi-expressional emoji" (smiley face or other icon sent by text message) who lives in a digital city and wants to become a "normal" emoji. It's a PG-rated film aimed at families with children.
Read more: The Queen's funeral plans: The full hour-by-hour timetable of what will happen
The film aired at 11.10am and will run for one hour and 20 minutes - almost completely covering the time-slot occupied by Her Majesty's funeral on the other TV channels. After The Emoji Movie, Stuart Little will air, followed by Ice Age 3: Dawn of the Dinosaurs and then Sing!. The afternoon of children's entertainment will then end, with the 5 News at 5 live at 5pm.
Many parents around the UK have praised Channel 5 for choosing to air child-friendly content instead of the sad event of Her Majesty's funeral, reports the Daily Record.
One parent said: "Good. Something for my eldest with additional needs, whose anxiety is currently in a tailspin with constant death and funeral talk, on TV, radio and every shop or building we go to. We can set up a quiet area for him while the rest of us watch."
Another said: "I think that's quite a good thing. Let's face it, no-one's choosing 5 to watch the funeral, so why not give the kids something where Netflix etc isn't an option?"
"Channel 5 deserve a lot of respect for this. Airing an entire day's worth of kid and family friendly content to give us a break from wall to wall bleakness that most of us don't care about is a great move. I might even break my complete disinterest in the Emoji movie and watch!" added another.
Despite Channel 5 not airing the funeral, it is set to be the most-watched Royal event in history, with billions expected to tune in around the world. The Duke of Edinburgh's funeral was watched by more than 13 million people in the UK last year, while Princess Diana's funeral in 1997 was watched by more than 32 million people.
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