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This article is about the British music television channel. For the radio station of the same name, see Kiss (UK radio station).

Channel 4
Television channels
Former channels
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Kiss TV was a music video television channel owned by Channel Four Television based on the format of the Bauer Media Audio UK-owned national radio station Kiss.

The channel's programming predominantly consisted of classic and mainstream hip-hop, dance, grime, EDM and R&B music videos.

History

The original incarnation of Kiss TV was created by Guy Wingate, was bought back in to head up EMAP's fledgling TV division by then Kiss Chief Executive and the station's original founder, Gordon 'Mac' McNamee. Launched on 30 May 1996, the channel ran for one hour a night on the Mirror Group's L!VE TV cable circuit and in June 1997 moved to the Granada satellite and cable platform, taking a similar slot in the evening.[1][2] The channel was closed in January 1998.[3]

Although the original idea for the channel was proposed in 1993 (three years after Kiss FM launched as a legal station).[citation needed]

The channel's presenters included DJs such as BBC Radio 1's Judge Jules. By the time the channel was one year old, it had attracted major sponsorship from blue-chip brands such as Levi's, Sony consumer products and The Guardian.[citation needed]

Closure

On 29 January 2024, Channel 4 announced that Kiss TV and its sister channels would be closing as part of the future plans of the company leading up to 2030.

In the press release, it is stated that Channel 4 are "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".[4] At 23:59 on 30 June 2024, Kiss TV closed, with its final music video being "Don't Stop the Music" by Rihanna.

Availability

The channel was available on digital television platforms and was part of a network of channels owned by The Box Plus Network. On 2 April 2013, all Box Television channels went free-to-air on satellite, apart from 4Music which went free-to-view.[5] As a result, the channels were removed from the Sky EPG in Ireland.[6] However, Kiss TV launched on Freesat on 15 April 2013, alongside three other Box Television channels.[7] Kiss TV and its sister channels returned to Freesat on 8 December 2021.

Kiss TV also broadcast in Sub-Saharan Africa as a Pay-TV channel, through various digital TV providers without commercials. Music videos were played in place of commercials.[citation needed]

See also

References

  1. ^ "THIS WEEK: Emap switches on Kiss TV spot". Campaign. 2 May 1996.
  2. ^ "Media: Will Emap's TV Magic work? - Not content with owning FHM, the UK's best-selling men's magazine, and radio station Kiss FM, Emap is also carving itself a niche in the cable and satellite TV market. AMANDA LUTCHFORD reports". Campaign. 27 November 1997.
  3. ^ "EMAp closes Kiss TV". The Media Leader. 14 January 1998.
  4. ^ "Channel 4 shares plans to become digital-first public service streamer by 2030 | Channel 4". www.channel4.com. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
  5. ^ "Bauer's Box channels appear free-to-air on satellite". a516digital. 2 April 2013.
  6. ^ "YouTube video showing the channels removed from the Sky EPG in Ireland". YouTube. 3 April 2013. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 29 March 2020.
  7. ^ "Freesat turn up the volume with 4 new music channels". Joinfreesat.co.uk. 15 April 2013.
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