Music TV Fans, Your Channels Are Disappearing!
Bad news for music lovers relying on Freeview or Sky TV. Three beloved music channels – That’s 80s, That’s Oldies, and That’s Melody – have vanished from your screens, leaving a noticeable gap in the lineup. But here's where it gets controversial: is this just another sign of the inevitable shift to streaming, or a symptom of deeper financial troubles within the industry?
For Freeview users, the loss is particularly stinging. That’s Oldies, perched on channel 75, was the platform’s last full-time music station. Sky viewers aren’t faring much better, with all three channels (formerly on 359-361) now absent from their TV Guide. This comes on the heels of reports that parent company That’s Media Limited is grappling with severe cost-cutting measures and has failed to file its accounts on time. Companies House could initiate strike-off proceedings if they don’t get their act together soon. And this is the part most people miss: this isn’t the first time the company has struggled with financial paperwork. Just last December, two of its Freeview channels, That’s TV (UK) and That’s TV 2, went dark due to suspected money-related distribution issues.
So, where can you get your music fix now?
Fear not, music enthusiasts! Alternatives do exist. Vevo, NOW Music, and Xite are filling the void on platforms like Pluto TV, Rakuten TV, and Samsung TV Plus. That’s TV is also streaming four music channels, including That’s 80s, via Rakuten TV and Pluto TV. LG TV owners can access these channels through LG Channels. Plus, That’s TV 2 has revamped its daytime schedule to feature classic music videos from the 60s and 70s, while That’s TV 3 still airs some music programming during quieter hours – despite rumors of its closure.
But let’s zoom out for a moment. The decline of traditional music TV has been brewing for years. Remember MTV’s linear music channels? Gone. Channel 4 axed 4Music and The Box back in 2024. With That’s TV’s music stations now silent, Sky viewers are left with only the NOW Music channels as their full-time music option. Streaming services have undeniably stepped in to fill the gap, offering convenience and features like pausing live TV. Yet, there’s a catch. While linear TV via aerial or satellite dish is often free (aside from the BBC licence fee), broadband-based television requires a paid internet connection. For instance, Freely demands a minimum 10Mbps speed, which could cost £10–£15 monthly. Could this force millions of UK viewers into paying for broadband they might not otherwise need?
The Bigger Picture: Is Freeview’s Days Numbered?
This channel cull coincides with a looming question: will Freeview itself become obsolete? A recent study, Stream On: The Future of UK TV, predicts that every UK household could access internet-delivered TV by the mid-2030s, rendering traditional terrestrial distribution redundant. With 94% of UK adults already online and 92% using VOD services like Netflix and BBC iPlayer, the writing seems to be on the wall. But should we let free-to-air TV fade into history without a fight?
The UK Government is currently reviewing the future of television distribution, with multiplex licences set to expire in 2034. Without an extension, free-to-air broadcasts could disappear. The Broadcast 2040+ coalition, backed by over 35 organisations including The Great Network (home to Great! TV, Great! Christmas, and Great! Movies), is campaigning to preserve traditional linear TV and radio. But will their efforts be enough?
What do you think? Is the shift to streaming inevitable, or should we fight to keep free-to-air TV alive? Are the costs of broadband-based TV fair, or is it another burden on viewers? Let us know in the comments – this debate is far from over!
