Channel 4 to axe five TV channels in major shake up to help cut costs

Channel 4 have dealt a huge blow in more of their cost-cutting plans. The broadcasters have already axed a string of shows this year and revealed back in January their plans to make hundreds of staff redundant, but now they are closing five of their TV channels too.

Five digital channels to close down have been revealed as The Box music channels 4Music, The Box, Kiss, Magic and Kerrang! Channel 4 explained that these channels do not "deliver meaningful return on investment".

A Channel 4 spokesperson said: "As we announced earlier this year as part of Channel 4's digital-first Fast Forward strategy, we will be closing our Box network of channels from 1 July across all platforms - as they are no longer of sufficient scale to deliver meaningful return on investment.

"Our strategy reflects the generational shift in TV viewing and involves reducing costs – particularly in linear activities - to allow us to invest in digital priorities and stay competitive in a world of global entertainment conglomerates and social media giants."

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

Some of the much-loved shows that have taken a hit by the cost-cutting scheme include SAS: Who Dares Wins and Steph's Packed Lunch. Meanwhile Channel 4's Hollyoaks will also have fewer episodes airing each week from September.

The soap, which airs on streaming, E4 and YouTube will go down from five episodes per week to three. The channel claimed that they are making the change, based on research which shows that most regular soap viewers watch an average of three episodes per week.

However, the production company for the soap, Lime Pictures, says the decision will lead to "very difficult" job losses among the cast and crew.

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

"Evidently there are implications that will mean we have to reshape Hollyoaks’ production model and amidst the buoying news for the future of the show and its audience, we must also acknowledge that a reduction in cast and crew, will be very difficult and we will support everyone in that process."

Ian Katz, Chief content officer at Channel 4, said that the broadcaster plans to work with the Lime Pictures "to minimise the impacts where possible".