Channel 4 axes five channels as viewers express devastation over ‘end of an era’-Josie Copson and Sabrina Barr-Entertainment – Metro

Channel 4 has an ambitious five-year plan (Picture: Reuters/Tom Nicholson/File Photo)

Channel 4’s cuts continue, and this time five whole channels are being axed.

The Kerrang! TV channel – which launched in 2001 and showcased music videos for alternative artists including skate-punk, indie rock, metal, and rock bands – is one of the channels that’s set to go.

Viewers could text Kerrang! to request a particular song, and there was a guarantee it would be played (although, you may have had to wait a little while).

Unfortunately, it will be no more due to the broadcaster’s five-year plan to become a digital-first public service streamer by 2030, with other Box channels – The Box, Magic, Kiss, and 4Music – also getting the cut.

‘To stay competitive and invest in digital priorities, Channel 4 will reduce its operational costs, particularly out of legacy activities. This will simplify its operations to become leaner, nimbler, and more sustainable in the long term,’ the broadcaster’s ambitious statement reads.

‘This includes: Proposing to close small linear channels that no longer deliver revenues or public value at scale, including the Box channels in 2024 and others at the right time.’

Nirvana’s Smells Like Teen Spirit was the first music video broadcast on Kerrang! TV (Picture: Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic, Inc)

In a new statement released on June 3, a Channel 4 spokersperson added: ‘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.’

They continued to The Sun: ‘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.’

The decline in the popularity of music channels and the shift to other platforms such as YouTube is hard to avoid, but it doesn’t make it any less sad for their viewers past and present.

Hundreds of fans took to X, formerly Twitter, to express their grief when the news was first revealed.

‘Kerrang TV is closing down thank u for raising me and changing the entire trajectory of my life,’ wrote Jake.

Account Cries Tired referenced the recent breakup of an iconic band in her social media post: ‘Kerrang tv shutting down, you me at six breaking up, 14 years old me is screaming and throwing up.’

Robin described Kerrang! TV as her ‘whole world as a teenager’ and credited it for helping her discover ‘alt music’.

It was a day Scott Wilson hoped would never come: ‘Kerrang TV was single-handedly responsible for curating the soundtrack to my adolescence. It was how you knew what was good and what was new. Thought it’d be there for every generation after me too! Sad news.’

Evie doesn’t even know how she’ll fill her time now. She asked: ‘KERRANG TV CLOSING DOWN???? worst news ever what am i meant to watch </3.’

‘Kerrang TV closing really is the end of an era,’ viewer Tom simply wrote.

TV programmes including Rise And Fall have been axed (Picture: Channel Four)

As part of its plan, Channel 4 will have ‘fewer, stronger new titles that generate more scale and impact’, increase YouTube content, and ‘reduce headcount by 18%’ which will mean around 200 redundancies and the closure of around 40 unfilled roles.

The broadcaster has recently been making bold decisions to cut loose some of its programming, including Rise and Fall, Question of Sport, Steph’s Packed Lunch, and The Big Celebrity Detox. 

Metro.co.uk has contacted Channel 4 for comment.

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