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The Hits

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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Skytvfreak (talk | contribs) at 00:07, 18 August 2008 (→The Hits Radio: The Hits Radio is owned by Bauer ONLY. Channel 4 only has its fingers in Box Television's pie as its a 50.50 ownership, so it won't be rebranded 4Music Radio). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

This article is about the TV channel. For other uses, see The Hits (disambiguation).
The Hits
Ownership
OwnerBox Television
(Bauer Group/Channel 4)

The Hits was a music video channel in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland owned by Box Television.

Overview and availability

The channel showcased a range of pop centering on chart hits and current favourites. Originally, the vast majority of music videos were selected by viewers by means of calling a premium rate telephone number, however the policy was abandoned with the channel playing an automated selection of videos and countdown shows presented by celebrities and singers past and present. Programming was often themed to coincide with events such as St. Patrick's Day and Christmas.

The channel was available free-to-air on the British Digital terrestrial television service Freeview on channel 18. It was the only pure music video channel operating on the Freeview platform (TMF - a channel owned by chief competitor MTV - and E4 broadcast music videos for only a portion of their schedule). It was also shown on Sky Digital, channel 360, but is encrypted, so that only Sky subscribers can view it. The Hits was also available on Virgin Media, channel 330, and is included in the basic (TV Size: M) package. It was also be seen through the British Forces Broadcasting Service.

2008 Replacement

File:4music.gif
4Music Logo

On 20 February 2008, it was announced that The Hits was to be replaced by 4Music later in the year, and a trial period broadcast on Sundays under the 4Music banner was broadcast on Sunday evenings during the spring.[1] In June 2008 it was further announced that this replacement was to take place during the V Festival weekend on August 15th.[2] The replaced station will show predominantly music videos, alongside live performances and Channel 4 programming like Star Stories and The Sunday Night Project, as well as documentaries about artists.[3]

In recent weeks before the rebrand, 4Music had began airing teaser trailers for the channel as part of it's extensive promotion of the rebrand, airing such quotes as "Get on all fours and we'll cover you with music," "With all the cunning of a squirrel, and the power of ten wolves... 4Music: the new channel from 4 & "Let us lick your mind... 4Music: the new channel from 4." During T4 On The Beach, one of the three stages was named, the 4Music stage, along in the concert programs, it has an ad which says, "Do You Party?...4Music...the new channel from 4." The website now redirects to 4Music's Website.

For more information on 4Music see 4Music

The Hits Last Shut Down

The Hits ceased broadcasting music videos on Friday 15 August, 2008 at just after 6:00am, The last video played on The Hits was 'Thank You For The Music' by ABBA before fading in to a promo for 4Music. The last Hits Chart was broadcast on 13 August, 2008 at 12:15pm and 5:15pm, with the number one video being "I Kissed a Girl" by Katy Perry.

Ofcom controversy

In November 2007, Ofcom found The Hits had breached broadcast licence for failing to retain copies of its programming. Two viewers had complained questioning the authenticity of some of the winning entries on text-in quiz programme Win Win TV, broadcast overnight on June 26.

The broadcaster was unable to provide Ofcom with a review copy of the programme in question because of "problems with its logging system". Condition 11 of a Television Licensable Content Service license requires the broadcaster to keep recordings of all output for 60 days after transmission, providing Ofcom with any material on request.

"Failure to supply these recordings is a serious and significant breach of the broadcaster's license," the regulator noted. "This [incident] will be held on record." [4]

The Hits Radio

In 2003, The Hits Radio was launched. Since the re-brand to 4music, The Hits Radio is still currently under the name "The Hits Radio". However, It is unknown whether the name of the radio station will be re-branded in the future. For more information on the station, see the main article - The Hits Radio.

References

  1. ^ Digital Spy
  2. ^ http://www.brandrepublic.com/MediaWeek/News/822297/C4-set-launch-music-channel/ Media Week - C4 set to launch music channel.]
  3. ^ "The Hits will become 4Music in August". Digital Spy. Retrieved 2008-07-18.
  4. ^ Digital Spy
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