If you’re a ‘90s kid, chances are that you grew up watching Channel [V], when it was actually about music, Lola Kutty and awesome VJs like Gaurav Kapur and Juhi Pandey. The channel has been around for two decades now and according to some, it is “one step away from becoming a saas-bahu channel”.
But now, the channel may just be shutting down. According to a Shuchi Bansal’s report in Livemint, Star India will be pulling the plug on Channel [V] and replacing it with a sports channel. Star declined to comment on the development.
Whether true or not, the possible downing of shutters on the channel is getting people really nostalgic.
Many recounted how they spent their younger years watching Channel [V] and MTV. But given how the channels were pushing ‘youth driven’ content like reality shows and drama in recent years, many said they hadn’t watched either channel in a long time.
Other associated the death of the channel with the death of ‘90s music. Some even called it the YouTube of that time.
These reactions will surely take you on a trip down memory lane.
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
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
Wrote my first ever TV show for Channel V, and was lucky to work with superstars @juhipande, Manish Anand, @ExLolaKutty, @mojorojo, @VarunmThakur and @thetanmay.
— Amogh Ranadive (@amoghranadive) November 22, 2017
End of a goddamn era. :')
With the non filmy Music videos are not made anymore&Music is nomore about lyrics&soul,with smartphones replaced Music on TV,Channel V unable to survive.I will never forget 90s music which was made more refined&enjoyable by V.@starindia#ByeByeChannelVhttps://t.co/QxeJuYK64I
— Ruchi Shukla (@RuchiKom) November 23, 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
Oh, RIP Channel [V]. Or as some family elders would forever say: Channel Five.
— 2Six2 (@2SixTwo) November 22, 2017
Sigh:( Thanks for the music, more importantly Simpoo Singh, Jawalkar (Without the V), Quick Gun Murugan, Lola Kutty and the likes.....https://t.co/fMnh5oa3nK
— FiFi (@Alfifius) November 22, 2017
Channel V shutting down now seems that we 90's kids are no more kids and this hurts. @ChannelvIndia
— Afia (@afiaaaaxo) November 23, 2017
Class V. Mom announced channel V is out of bounds. And a 10 year old rebelled. Don’t RIP Channel V.
— Rimjhim Ray (@GlobeSlother) November 22, 2017
Haven't watched #ChannelV in years. But as a kid it introduced me to a lot of music and artists. @nikhilchinapa with his 4pm show was my post school afternoon show. Goodbye @ChannelvIndia loss of a brand.
— Kenny G (@getkenny) November 22, 2017
Channel [V] is going off air forever. Everyday we lose some part of our cherished childhood. #90skid
— Vishal Mehra (@capturethecatch) November 22, 2017
Channel V thank you for giving us Purab Kohli, Yudi, Gaurav, VIVA, AASMA, Lola Kutty, Brought to you BAI. I guess ITNE PAISE ME ITNA HI MILEGA. Bye bye @ChannelvIndia
— Rumana (@RumanaNazarali) November 23, 2017
People remember #ChannelV for Viva? I remember #ChannelV for introducing me to some great music of 90's, the Indipop! No will ever forget the Indipop scene. EVER! Those were the days.
— Smriti Kannan Advait (@SmritiKannan_AD) November 23, 2017
Oh man..Channel V shuting down. Part of the childhood is lost. Remember waiting for that "First on V" debuts songs. Loved the channel. It was the original YouTube of our generation. #ChannelVShutdown
— Youth of the Nation (@AnkitKhandelwal) November 23, 2017
Some however, did not seem very disappointed at the possibility of Channel [V] being pulled off air.
Channel [V] was one step away from becoming a saas-bahu channel. Good riddance.
— Neha Nair (@nehanair) November 23, 2017
Goodbye #ChannelV. About time. It died when it stopped showing music videos and started airing lame ass shows.
— Shikha Shetty (@_SAnonymous) November 23, 2017
It had lost everything it stood for over the years. As an ex-producer I am not surprised it's shutting shop. Channel {V} https://t.co/yVkUuDbpFv
— फ़िल्मी बिल्ली (@SufiyanaSoul) November 22, 2017
Channel [V] is done. Good riddance. I hope MTV goes down the same path too. Absolute tosh.
— Darth Syddius (@Syddie) November 23, 2017
While Channel [V] and MTV were always seen as competition, the latter interestingly was also a part of Star India’s journey in India. Star had tied up with Viacom to launch MTV here along with Star Movies and Star Plus, reported Livemint.
However, the fallout happened when Star wanted to add more Indian content in the mix on MTV, prompting the channel to move out of the Star platform. That’s when Star launched its own music channel as Channel [V].
While Channel [V] experimented with music, to more original content and then back to more music, the strategy doesn’t seem to have worked now. According to Barc ratings, Channel [V] is the 7th most watched Hindi music channel.