Channel U TV

Infobox TV channel| dummy parameter=
name= Channel U TV
logofile=Channel-u.png logoalt=Channel U Logo
launch= 2003
share=
owner= Video Interactive Television [ [http://www.ofcom.org.uk/static/tvlicensing/cs/753.htm Licence Details for Channel U ] ] | replaced names=
sister names= Fizz
web= [http://www.channelu.tv www.channelu.tv]
sat serv 1=Sky Digital
sat chan 1=Channel 370
sat serv 2=Eurobird 1
sat chan 2=11389H 27500 2/3
|

Channel U TV is a digital satellite TV channel, owned by Video Interactive Television. It is available through Sky Digital within the UK on channel 370. It is also trying to add its programming to the Virgin Media cable service.

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 U is a significant outlet not only for established artists, but also for those who are just starting out. Its material "includ [es] crude productions shot with handheld digital video cameras," [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.] and helps new musicians attract attention and build a fan base. [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.] 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," ["The Channel U Shop: About." http://www.channelu.tv/shop/index1.html. Accessed 14 March 2008.] and it has been successful in this mission, as suggested by the production and popularity of such compilation CDs as "Channel U: The Album". [ [http://arts.guardian.co.uk/filmandmusic/story/0,,2230672,00.html Various artists, Channel U: The Album | | guardian.co.uk Arts ] ]

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, Jammer, Bashy, The Iconz, Mobb Deep, M.O.P, Sticky Fingaz, Fredro Starr, The Committee 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.

In June 2005, the channel was fined £19,000 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. [http://www.ofcom.org.uk/tv/obb/ocsc_adjud/Achannelu.pdf]

Before he joined MTV to host the British version of "Pimp My Ride", Tim Westwood had a show on Channel U, 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 ballers (the term) off the pitch and featured premiership footballer stars including Jermaine Defoe and Jermaine Pennant.

Channel U also has a sister channel called "Fizz", which plays music from all genres, and has a heavy interactive texting element.

External links

* [http://www.channelu.tv Channel U - Official site]
* [http://www.ammocity.com/artman/publish/article_162.shtml Background and history of Channel U] [http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2006/05/05/the-ballers-show--89520-17034804/]

Notes