‘Genuinely gutted’ Music fans devastated as FIVE channels all shut down – with ‘weirdly emotional’ last moments
MUSIC fans have been left sobbing after FIVE of the country’s biggest music video channels all shut down simultaneously.
The group of stations were shut down by Channel 4 as part of the company’s latest cost cutting efforts.
Stations 4Music, Kerrang, The Box, Kiss and Magic all came to a joint close on Sunday 30 June and fans have been left absolutely devastated.
Many have been quick to comment on how it is the “end of an era” after linear television‘s music output has been vastly reduced as a result of the channel closures.
In poignant touching moments, each of the five channels opted to play a final song with a significant meaning.
The songs each touched on things coming to an end whilst fitting into the genre’s of each of the broadcaster’s.
Chart hit channel 4Music opted to end with Pink‘s 2010 smash-hit single Raise Your Glass as a fitting nod to the end of its 16-year legacy whilst contemporary pop channel went with Goodbye by Spice Girls.
A voiceover also followed on 4Music which thanked its “stars, guests, all our hosts, and most importantly, you the viewers for watching!
“From 4Music, ciao adios.”
Throwback channel Magic opted for Boyz II Men’s End of the Road, hip hop and party music channel Kiss selected Rihanna‘s Don’t Stop The Music whilst rock channel Kerrang chose Fall Out Boy’s Thnks fr th Mmrs (Thanks For The Memories) as their final track.
Music fans were quick to share their thoughts as the channels ceased broadcasting for the final time with one fan insisting that “Spotify killed the video star” – a play on The Buggles’ Video Killed The Radio Star.
One fan penned: “As cheesy as it might be, I’m genuinely gutted about the end of Kerrang! TV.”
Another added: “Can u believe music channels r no more.”
Someone else went on to say: “Seeing the last broadcast minute of Kerrang! TV was weirdly emotional. End of an era.”
A fourth wrote: “4music just shut down that’s so sad, tv is dying.”
Before a fifth said: “I can’t believe Ch4 was allowed to get rid of; 4Music, Magic, The Box, Kerrang! and Kiss TV. Not one or two Music Channels but five you know. FIVE?!”
4Music was initially launched as a replacement service for The Hits in a big-money launch.
Davina McCall and Steve Jones were chosen to host the opening night which saw them play their 20 favourite music videos as part of a special countdown.
This was followed by the premiere of Kylie Minogue‘s KYLIEX2008 concert as well as full live coverage of 2008’s V Festival over the opening weekend.
4Music also became known for airing entertainment programme’s early in its run in the evening and became the first channel to air Keeping Up with the Kardashians on free-to-air television.
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.
Elsewhere, 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.
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.”