RIP Channel V: Social Media Mourns the Closure of the TV Channel

It’s the end of an era for the 90s kids.

It’s like the end of an era for the 90s kids. Channel V, which started out as an exclusive music channel and which later went on to feature daily soaps and reality shows in its programming is reportedly set to shut down. Its popularity gradually started waning after it stopped airing music in 2015. In 2016, it turned back to its forte - music but it was apparently too late and that’s just the way the cookie crumbles.

The TV industry is abuzz with reports that the channel was aborted due the dearth of a solid strategy and low TRPs. It is also allegedly slated to be substituted by a Kannada sports channel. There were also reports of the network’s collaboration with Hotstar, Star’s digital partner.

Social media is rife with nostalgia. Many members of the Twitterati, including those associated with the erstwhile Channel V, have gone all out in expressing its melancholy at the closure of this 20-year-old Indi-pop culture space, which created iconic characters like Lola Kutty and Udham Singh. It also kickstarted the careers of prolific playback singers like Neha Bhasin and Anushka Manchanda. Ex-Channel V employees have also posted messages as an ode to the channel on its way out.

While some people were disheartened, there were others who took to Twitter to say that the network had moved beyond its heydays and that it had in fact died years ago.

Places I used to frequent don't exist anymore.
First Barista.
Now Channel V. pic.twitter.com/T3xKSRKJHN

— Anu Menon (@ExLolaKutty) November 22, 2017

In case any of you kids are wondering why a bunch of 30-40 year olds are reminiscing about Channel V, it's because Channel V was OUR YouTube.

— Azeem Banatwalla (@TheBanat) November 23, 2017

End of an era
A farewell party is a must @Purab_Kohli @yuuthistar @gauravkapur https://t.co/nLZQHd60ew

— Shruti Seth (@SethShruti) November 22, 2017

Star India is shutting down Channel V & starting a Kannada sports channel instead. Wow. Those TRPs must be unmentionable!

— Vijay Venkataramanan (@7th_Samurai) November 22, 2017

Remember VJ Nonie (when Channel [V] was still MTV)? She was a bigger star than many musicians. https://t.co/E4jZxeC9Vi

— Sachin Kalbag (@SachinKalbag) November 22, 2017

Channel V shutting down is sad news. I still remember being a huge fan of channel V popstars 'Viva' #ChannelVMemories @ChannelvIndia @starindia

— Tamanna Wahi (@tamannaW) November 22, 2017

#ChannelV is shitting down?! I feel like a part of my childhood just died 😫😫 pic.twitter.com/zZLEakaPV1

— Veena Iyer (@notsofunnypanda) November 23, 2017

There was a time when music on TV for me, meant only MTV and Channel V. Haven't watched either in ages. But still a little sad to hear that V is shutting shop. Goodbye Channel V. Thank you for the memories. https://t.co/wfXeAjdAWi

— J. rex (@pajamacounselor) November 22, 2017

Channel [V] was one step away from becoming a saas-bahu channel. Good riddance.

— Neha Nair (@nehanair) November 23, 2017

Seriously though, they turned channel v into a teenage nonsense channel.

— Vikram Bondal (@vicramb) November 22, 2017

sigh. My first job was at Channel V

— Sahil (@TheCoffeeNazi) November 22, 2017

Wrote my first ever TV show for Channel V, and was lucky to work with superstars @juhipande, Manish Anand, @ExLolaKutty, @mojorojo, @VarunmThakur and @thetanmay.

End of a goddamn era. :')

— Amogh Ranadive (@amoghranadive) November 22, 2017

Whatever one may feel about Channel V, the 90s kids are not going to let it go gently into the night.

Source: The Indian Express

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