Channel 4 reveals closure of FIVE beloved channels amid major cost-saving cuts and axed TV shows

Channel 4 has announced the closure of five of its channels as the broadcaster struggles with cost-cutting cuts.

The channel has canceled a series of shows this year and announced their plans to lay off hundreds of staff in January.

The broadcaster will also leave their London headquarters, the Horseferry Road office, where Channel 4 has been based since 1994, and find a new office elsewhere in London.

And now the five digital channels to be closed have been revealed as The Box music channels 4Music, The Box, Kiss, Magic and Kerrang!

The canals will close at the end of June and that will happen disappear on all available platforms, such as Sky and Virgin Media.

The five digital channels to be closed are known as The Box music channels 4Music, The Box, Kiss, Magic and Kerrang!

This is what a Channel 4 spokesperson said The sun: ‘As we announced earlier this year as part of Channel 4’s digital-first Fast Forward strategy, from July 1 we will close our Box network of channels across all platforms – as they are no longer large enough to provide a meaningful deliver a return on investment.

“Our strategy reflects the generational shift in TV viewing and includes reducing costs – especially in linear operations – to enable us to invest in digital priorities and remain competitive in a world of global entertainment conglomerates and social media giants. ‘

The channel has recently had to cancel a handful of programs, including SAS: Who Dares Wins and Steph’s Packed Lunch, as part of efforts to reduce costs.

Danny Dyer’s hit show Scared of the Dark has been axed after just one series despite its huge success.

The experimental TV show asked a slew of famous faces to live in complete darkness for a week as they were given various challenges.

Former footballer Paul Gascoigne was crowned the winner of the series after living in complete darkness for eight days as he beat Love Island’s Chloe Burrows, ex-boxer Chris Eubank and comedian Chris McCausland in the competition.

Despite bringing in more than a million viewers, Channel 4 has decided not to return for a second series Deadline.

Meanwhile, Channel 4’s Hollyoaks will also air fewer episodes each week from September.

A Channel 4 spokesperson told The Sun: ‘We will be closing our Box network of channels across all platforms from July 1 – as they are no longer big enough to deliver a meaningful return on investment’

The channel has recently been forced to cancel a handful of programmes, including SAS: Who Dares Wins and Steph’s Packed Lunch (pictured), as part of efforts to cut costs

Danny Dyer’s popular show Scared of the Dark has also been canceled after just one series despite its huge success

Meanwhile, Channel 4’s Hollyoaks will also air fewer episodes each week from September ((Malique Thompson Dwyer and Jennifer Metcalfe pictured on soap in 2021)

The soap, which airs on streaming, E4 and YouTube, will go from five episodes a week to three.

The broadcaster said it is making the change because it is “the optimal pattern to keep domestic audiences hooked and attract new ones in a highly saturated content market,” based on Channel 4’s data.

They claim that their research shows that most regular soap viewers watch an average of three episodes per week.

However, the soap’s production company, Lime Pictures, says the decision will lead to “very difficult” job losses among the cast and crew.

Lime Pictures MDs Kate Little and Claire Poyser said: ‘Given the success of the new streaming-first model, we’re pleased that Hollyoaks continues to be at the forefront of Channel 4’s digital-first strategy, bringing authentic, unexpected and untold stories that inspire younger audiences in a way they want to consume.

‘Apparently there are implications that will mean we need to reform the production model of Hollyoaks and amid the good news for the future of the show and its audience we also need to recognize that downsizing the cast and crew will be very difficult and that we support everyone in that process.’

Chief content officer at Channel 4, Ian Katz, said the broadcaster plans to work with Lime Pictures “to minimize impact where possible”.

Speaking about the schedule change, he said: ‘Hollyoaks is in sparkling creative form at the moment and these changes will ensure it remains compulsive viewing for a new generation of fans as viewing habits change.

“The show has always been at the forefront of innovation in all its forms, including increasing and decreasing the number of episodes in response to viewership behavior.

‘These changes are a decisive step forward, designed to reflect how audiences view. Tighter planning promises a new era with greater scale and impact.’

Ian continued: ‘We are of course aware of the impact on the production team and will work closely with Lime Pictures to minimize this where possible.’