Just been reading a few old threads from 2003 (In the sky section) because I'm bored There's quite a few music channel threads if you start from page 1005 and go backwards.

Quite amazed to see people complaining about exactly the same things back then. There's even a familiar face with a slightly different name in the final post of one of the threads http://forums.digitalspy.co.uk/showt...t=71067&page=2

Alternative/indie/punk has totally been deserted with the closure of Q, NME TV, The Amp, VH2, P-Rock and Lava over the years. Surely bands like The Killers and Mumford and Sons all deserve an outlet? Plus Oasis 20 years back catalogue of videos never gets shown now.

Who knows what the future of Kerrang is anyway especially with Planet Rock in Bauer ownership. Scuzz also isn't pulling viewers.

I suspect the last two channels struggle as most rock fans probably go elsewhere for music now. Neither of these channels have much credibility and if there's a rubbish song on you can't exactly flick to another rock channel?

Classical music is now gone too since Classic FM TV shut then OMusic later.

Music Choice had all types of music via red button and this also shut down.

Dance music is more catered for now than in 2003. You only had MTV Dance and Rapture back in the day.

MTV Dance today only caters for very recent dance hits no old ones. That's maybe what displeases some people and it's UK focused and avoids the European music.

I believe that all artists deserve an outlet no matter the channel but its a disgrace to what it has become - but why are they closing these channels down and launching more pap channels is what I don;t get or should I say having EXISTING channels and watering them down to pap channels

I remember Classic FM TV briefly and the red button feature (seen it at a friend's house at one point) but surprised this is all gone - I guess Music Variety is well out the window now

There's too many music channels playing pop. They all chased the money and went for viewing figures. Problem is how long will advertisers keep shelling out when viewing becomes divided between more channels. More so when newcomers like Capital FM TV can eat into Bauer and CSC's audience share?

Sooner or later it will be cheaper to shut these channels and save EPG costs or go back to playing variety and axe the wall of pop channels. I suspect the first option.

MTV being the only last pay operator really should improve their channels. Axing MTV Hits and VH1 would be a start. MTV Classic should be reverted back to VH1 Classic and MTV Music should just be MTV. MTV Rocks should be split into two channels again too.

And the only hope for a Classic FM TV return is if Capital bring it back I'm sure they own the radio station now?

I agree there is far too much pap on these channels - just look at MTV Dance for starters - as for axing the channels it be the best way forward and get the channels on track the way they were before all this began (and again bring more variety even have more rock/alternative channels). As long as they do not end up being the same state at moment (same songs on every channel!)

MTV should get it fingers out than just rely on bombarding its viewers with "the geordies" - MTV needs its OWN reality check and get real with itself and its viewers rather than treat the "older" generation as complete idiots who are with it for all this pap!

I disagree, I may not care about "proper dance" (Ducks for cover) but even I can see that it isn't shown at all on UK TV. MTV Dance and Chart Show Dance are basically just upbeat versions of MTV Base and FLAVA and Clubland may as well be called Planet Pop Extra.

Now do I agree about there being too many chart music channels but they obviously make more money for the companies. Personally I'm happy with the few specialist channels we currently have such as The Vault, Magic, Scuzz, Kerrang, Bliss and BuzMuzik can sometimes be quite good. But would love a bit more variety.

Going back a little bit to the programmers, they are programmers by name, but I believe it's a case of being told what the programme options are and fitting it all in. They have very little say as to whether they play Gaga or not - it's simply here's a Gaga program, find a space for it.

Going back even further, I think it's generous of VH1 to offer another helping of the Top 40. I can't see them doing a slightly delayed live run down as that would mean someone would have to do even quicker programming, but I feel they are being generous in showing another repeat of this programme, just incase any of us missed any of the other 57 showings during the week, especially as in these charts they often don't play the full songs anyway.

Greatest Hits - started chopping off videos at the beginning and end. Possibly to save more time for more songs or more space for adverts.

I think they're trying be cool by having a woman whispering "Greatest Hits" and "Summer Hits" after every video. Plus they've even added a clock under the logo.

Have AATW completely forgotten about Clubland TV? Planet Pop and Greatest/Summer Hits seem to be their main focus.

Hit40UK - How many showings can one chart have? Also, these channels are VERY cut-throat. Quick to praise an act, but quick to slag them off. Don't see Beyonce or Rihanna or Chris Brown slagged off

Overall digital tv for all it's world of extra channels these days lacks choice.

Broadcasters in general don't need to make full use of there rights. I remember a few years ago did UKTV not say they played out Baywatch on a 2.35am slot or something just to play the rights out until the contract expired?

Music tv I believe works in royalties for songs being played. Perhaps it's cheaper for new artists to be played as it's promotion where as older artists just expect a buck everytime there song is on tv? Perhaps somebody else can explain how this works?

I'll agree with you on the Dance side, I think since 2003 that is when it all began these changes and exactly MTV Dance is more like MTV Base or better yet MTV Hits (pending on who they throw on)

I do agree that there is now way too much "chart" music channels now and there is less variety - as it seems all generations have to fit in to be with The Wanted or 1D crowd, but does every channel have to feature certain artists on all channels - I doubt it but I guess its laziness.

An example - MTV Dance - Girls Aloud/Cheryl - why are they on exactly? - is it just for the "upbeat" or is it for the "dance" routine - this is what confuses me with the channel name (I know it should be more Dance orientated - Chemical Brothers, KLF to name a few) but what is Dance by MTV's defintion as I ain't got no clue!

I've not heard that voice - I don't watch Greatest Hits too much. I will listen out for it though. Unless I have heard it and tuned out thinking it was an advert


It used to be that way, i'm not sure now. If it is, i'd imagine it would be akin to - Phone call from promoter, some labels saying their acts will cost less to promote/royalties similar to downloads being different prices etc, channel look at costs and then decide/see what's thrown in to the package - promo's/acts doing shows for them etc etc.

I recall many years ago The Lightning Seeds saying they got £1.40 or something for Match Of The Day using their music - it was something like per month or season, something pathetic like that - think it was per month. Royalties are so minimal these days as bigger packages are offered and the labels having their artists featured brings money from sales/concerts etc

It comes on between every song.

Even on charts?

As I say, I barely tune in to Greatest hits now - i'll have a look now.

They might as well shove all these upbeat dance songs onto MTV Hits/MTV Music / Chart Show TV/BuzMuzik instead and do away with MTV Dance MTV Base /Chartshow Dance/Flava because they arent really pulling in viewers or much the difference to their sister channels.

Flo-Rida , Pitbull have no purpose on a dance channel however they do on a pop channel because they are popular my good friend is a big fan of R&B/Urban music and even he says the same that R&B/Urban channels have all lost their way just like the dance channels have.

MTV Base used to play videos like Brandy , Mary J Blige , Ja Rule , Mystikal , Lauryn Hill and lots more but they don't any-more its all Pitbull , Flo-rida or much the same songs what MTV Dance play which shouldn't be on either channel.

Yep, it really isn't worth watching since they turned it into an 80's channel. I'd rather 90's ans 00's music that hasn't been shown for a long time (Not Britney, Rihanna, Take That or Boyzone)

I heard it earlier, the Summer Hits whisper. Quite creepy.

It's not even if it's rare 80's songs either - it's the same ones over and over.

Clubland all requests for the next 38 hours...

Tracks here - http://www.aatw.com/?p=77

9 Cascada tracks, one already on....other 8 will be voted for...stage by stage. Other artists are available.

Go Cascada!!

Unispiring week next week on 4music: Hottest Hunks 2013 so more 1D, Beiber and Chris Brown. Chasing The Saturdays at 5! Celebrity Twitter Wars and the 10000th repeat of the lanky, ugly Harry Styles on Heat.

I will be avoiding like the plague. Re: Chris Brown his fans are VERY deluded. They believe he was set up!

3 of 9 played so far....hoping I can get them to play the other 6 by 8pm!

4Music generally is uninspiring!

I think their was more behind the Chris Brown thing, but alot of fans think their favourites can do no wrong. I'm sure Tulisa's fans think the same with the drugs etc.

You would think they can come up with better things than that the following it'll be the "babes" Rihanna Tweedy the like will be on

Quite an impressive list there.

Good to see tracks from Cosmic Gate, Lost Witness, Rank 1, Signum, System F and various other trance videos.

You can bank on it.


Yes, seems to be focusing more on dance music than urban dance, in the main.