Channel AKA

From Grime Wikipedia

Channel U TV is a digital satellite TV channel, owned by Video Interactive Television. It is available through Sky Digital within the United Kingdom on channel 360. 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' (compared MTV Base). That said the channel does play US hip hop, rap and R'n'B videos. The channels main focus is the genre of Grime music and also UK hip hop.

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, Lethal Bizzle, Sway, Remi Nicole, Wong, Jammer, Bashy and Dizzee Rascal.

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 U, along with his other media activity.

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.[1]

Contents 1 Criticisms 2 How Does It Work? 3 How to get your video on Channel U 4 External links

Criticisms

Channel U has however, in the past, been subjected to adverse criticism regarding it's level of Quality Control. Many have vocalized the opinion that better segregation of genre's, history and different levels of success relating to artists should be established. To many, this simply means that those artists who are more popular with the Channel U viewers, should have their own place among the newcomers to the scene as opposed to the more random playlisting that currently takes place.

How Does It Work?

For the most part, artists or groups will self submit a copy of their musc video in order for it to be assessed and deemed appropriate. Along with your video, in order to reduce the amount of half-hearted efforts, you must also include:

• A VOCAL/INSTRUMENTAL mix of the track on CD
• A BIOGRAPHY of the artist on CD or in electronic format sent by email (History of the artist/group. How it all began, influences etc)
• DISCOGRAPHY i.e. a list of all tracks, when they were released and by whom
• FILMOGRAPHY i.e. a list of any films the artist/group has featured in, including dates.
• SONG LYRICS of track submitted and any tracks that have previously played on the channel.
• CONTACT DETAILS: You need to obtain an EMAIL ADDRESS for us to contact you about your submitted track.

If you are successful in remembering to include all of this, your submission will then be evaluated based on the following criteria.

How to get your video on Channel U

• FORMAT, All videos MUST be submitted on BETA SP, DV CAM or MINI DV as PAL format.
• BROADCAST QUALITY, Check the picture and sound quality is of broadcast standard, 100% colour bars, Audio should peak at -6db and NO HIGHER double check audio and pictures are in sync, Avoid the use of flashing images and regular patterns, Please do NOT include any title on the actual video (e.g. artist name & track title these details will be added by Channel U)
• VIDEO CONTENT, Language, A clean version of the video is required. ALL swear words, offensive/violent language and racist comments are BANNED
• Channel U will NOT make exceptions for anybody.
• COPYRIGHT CLEARANCES, You agree that all consents, clearances and other authorizations have been obtained from all performers in the video.
• Parental consent must be obtained if any of the performers are under the age of 16.
• DRUGS, Drug and solvent abuse should NOT be glamorized in the video. This includes alcohol, marijuana and other ‘minor’ drink and drugs.
• Steer clear of these subjects as they will slow down the process and will most likely result in the REJECTION of your video.
• PRODUCT PLACEMENT, Product placement or branding – i.e. the inclusion of, or reference to a product or service is NOT permitted within videos.
• This includes websites, logos, on screen graphics and graphics before the video begins (e.g. ‘MC Rap presents’ etc
• CREATIVITY, A big budget video is NOT essential, however please consider the concept and content of the video before submission.
• Original videos are more likely to be playlisted.

External links

• Channel U - Official site