Telly fans are ‘genuinely gutted’ as FIVE beloved channels close on Sky and Virgin Media TODAY after 32 years on-air
FIVE long-running channels will cease broadcasting on Sky and Virgin Media today.
The group of stations are being shut down by Channel 4 as part of the company’s latest cost cutting efforts.
It includes music channels The Box, Kiss, 4Music, Magic and Kerrang.
The Box is the longest running of the bunch, having launched way back in 1992 as a competitor for MTV.
It became hugely popular as the destination for “music television you control” allowing viewers to call in and request a song.
But the channels have been on the decline in face of the internet, with the likes of YouTube taking their place.
Kerrang TV’s departure appears to have saddened music fans online most.
However, many admit they haven’t watched the channel or others in years.
“Kerrang was such a big part of my teenage years I’m genuinely gutted,” one viewer wrote on Reddit.
“We still watch it now.”
Another wrote: “Gutted to hear it’s closing down as it introduced me to many bands I still listen to now.”
A third wrote: “I remember spending my time skipping between Kerrang, MTV2 and Scuzz.
“There’d always be something good on one of them.”
The move means there are only two players left in the UK’s music TV channel broadcasting scene – MTV and the NOW Music channels, famed for the Now That’s What I Call Music compilations, which also runs Clubland TV.
Channel 4 took over full ownership of the five closing channels in 2019.
In a recent statement, the broadcaster said: “As we announced earlier this year as part of Channel 4’s digital-first Fast Forward strategy, we will be closing our Box network of channels from 1 July across all platforms – as they are no longer of sufficient scale to deliver meaningful return on investment.
“Our strategy reflects the generational shift in TV viewing and involves reducing costs – particularly in linear activities – to allow us to invest in digital priorities and stay competitive in a world of global entertainment conglomerates and social media giants.”
A brief history: The Box
From video request dial-ins to its acquisition by Channel 4, the Box has brought music to people's screens across the UK and the US for 32 years.
The Box was brought to the UK in 1992, inspired by the original Miami-based channel The Jukebox Network.
It has been rocking on the airwaves ever since.
Channel 4 bought a 50 per cent stake in the channel in 2007 for an undisclosed sum, and eventually assumed full ownership in 2019.
When it first began, fans could phone in to request music videos of their favourite genres or bands, that could be queued automatically.
Video requests cost a couple quid and took around 20 minutes to be broadcast after being ordered.
The Box has roughly 1,800 music videos in its backpocket to air to viewers in its heyday.
Viewers could even request their top music clips over the internet or via set-top box.
Since then, the channel has become well known for its “First Play” feature, where many videos often make their UK or world premiere.