Channel AKA
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| Channel AKA | |
|---|---|
| Launched | 2003 |
| Owned by | Mushroom TV Ltd |
| Audience share | <0.1% (March 2009, BARB) |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Broadcast area | UK, |
| Formerly called | Channel U |
| Sister channel(s) | Starz TV |
| Website | www.channelu.tv |
| Availability | |
| Satellite | |
| Sky Digital | Channel 370 |
| Eurobird 1 | 12691V 27500 2/3 |
Channel AKA (formerly Channel U) is a British digital satellite TV channel, owned by Mushroom TV Ltd.[1] the channel is available through Sky Digital within the UK on channel 370. It is well known for their regular technical breakdowns.
Contents |
[edit] Starting point
The station is known for being the starting point for many UK urban acts as it plays lower budget videos from lesser known artists, and in their own words, 'Don't play the same American stuff over and over again' (compare MTV Base) That said, the channel does play US hip hop, rap and R'n'B videos. The channel's main focus is the genre of Grime music and also UK hip hop.
Channel AKA is a significant outlet not only for established artists, but also for those who are just starting out. Its material "include[es] crude productions shot with handheld digital video cameras,"[2] and helps new musicians attract attention and build a fan base.[3] According to its website, "[t]he aim of the channel was to highlight to the public, the raw and unsigned talent we have in the UK, and give them a platform from which they could perform,"[4] and it has been successful in this mission, as suggested by the production and popularity of such compilation CDs as Channel U: The Album.[5]
Many artists have expressed their loyalty to the channel in their lyrics; for example, in Lady Sovereign's 9 to 5, "channel who? oh channel U, the ones who made me huge, like Katie Price's boobs!". Other artists to comment on Channel U include Kano, DJ Ironik, Lethal Bizzle, Sway, Remi Nicole, Wong, Mobb Deep, M.O.P, Sticky Fingaz, Fredro Starr, and Dizzee Rascal. Dan Le Sac vs Scroobius Pip negatively mention Channel U in their song Fixed.
In October 2005, the first annual Channel U Awards were held in London with live performances from its underground playlist.
Before he joined MTV to host the British version of Pimp My Ride, Tim Westwood had a show on Channel AKA, along with his other media activity.
Following the success of the Westwood show the channel further developed its programming by licensing a lifestyle TV series, The Ballers Show, in 2006. The 30-minute show gave its audience the unique opportunity to see the real lives of Footballers off the pitch and featured Premier League footballer stars including Jermain Defoe and Jermaine Pennant. [6]
[edit] 2009 Rebrand
The parent company of Fizz TV and Channel U went into voluntary liquidation at the beginning of February, 2009, before being purchased by Mushroom TV. When purchasing the two channels, Mushroom TV agreed that Channel U and Fizz TV should be rebranded. The two channels were rebranded as Starz TV and Channel AKA on 16 March, 2009.
[edit] Criticisms
In June 2005, the channel was fined £18,000 by Ofcom for a number of offences, including the broadcasting of inappropriate material, using premium rate telephone services in programmes, and failing to ensure a clear distinction between programmes and advertisements.[7]
[edit] Logo
 2003 - 16 March 2009 |
[edit] External links
[edit] References
- ^ http://www.ofcom.org.uk/static/tvlicensing/cs/753.htm Licence Details for Channel U
- ^ Frere-Jones, Sasha. 21 March 2005. "True Grime: A Genre's Magic Moment." The New Yorker. http://www.newyorker.com/archive/2005/03/21/050321crmu_music. Accessed 14 March 2008.
- ^ Leon B. 03 September 2007. "Channel U: The Future Of UK Urban Music?" The Scene Magazine. http://www.britishhiphop.co.uk/index2.php?option=com_content&do_pdf=1&id=1007. Accessed 14 March 2008.
- ^ "The Channel U Shop: About." http://www.channelu.tv/shop/index1.html. Accessed 14 March 2008.
- ^ Various artists, Channel U: The Album | | guardian.co.uk Arts
- ^ http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2006/05/05/the-ballers-show--89520-17034804/
- ^ http://www.ofcom.org.uk/tv/obb/ocsc_adjud/Achannelu.pdf
