{{short description|British TV music channel, formerly known as Channel U and Channel AKA}} {{about|the most recent Massive R&B channel|the channel that was called Massive R&B from 2011 to 2013|Now Rock}} {{Infobox television channel | name = NOW 70s | logo = NOW 70s.png | logo_size = 200px | logo_caption = Used on Sky and Virgin Media UK’s TV guide | launch_date = 3 March 2003 | picture_format = 16:9 576i SDTV | owner = Penny Street<ref>{{cite web | url=https://static.ofcom.org.uk/static/radiolicensing/html/tv/cs/tlcs001642ba6now70s.htm | title=Ofcom | TV Cable and Satellite }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://rxtvinfo.com/2024/now-music-prepares-to-plug-gap-left-by-music-channel-closure/ | title=NOW Music prepares to plug gap left by music channel closure | date=25 June 2024 }}</ref> (Universal Music Group) | former_names = Channel U (2003–09)<br />Channel AKA (2009–18)<br />Massive R&B (2018)<br />Total Country (2018–19) | sister_channels = Now 80s<br />Now 90s & 00s<br />Now Rock<br />Clubland TV | website = www.nowmusic.com | terr_serv_1 = Freeview <small>(Manchester only)</small> | terr_chan_1 = }}
'''Now 70s''' (formerly '''Channel U''', '''Channel AKA''', '''Massive R&B''' and '''Total Country''') is a British free-to-air music television channel, owned by All Around the World Productions, available through Sky UK, Freeview and Virgin Media within the UK and through Local Now within the US (since February 2026, the US version is a rebadged channel known as '''That's 70s''', with its interstitial hosts removed). It focuses on music from the 1970s, being the third decade-oriented channel in the Now portfolio, along with Now 80s and Now 90s & 00s.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://rxtvinfo.com/2024/now-music-prepares-to-plug-gap-left-by-music-channel-closure/ | title=NOW Music prepares to plug gap left by music channel closure | date=25 June 2024 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://static.ofcom.org.uk/static/radiolicensing/html/tv/cs/tlcs105375ba1now90s00s.htm | title=Ofcom | TV Cable and Satellite }}</ref>
==History== ===Channel U=== {{main|Channel U (UK)}} Channel U was a British digital satellite TV music channel that focused on the British grime scene which ran from February 2003 to June 2018. It was a significant outlet not only for established artists, but also for those who are just starting out, helping the breakthrough for acts such as Tinchy Stryder, Tinie Tempah, Dizzee Rascal, Chip, Wretch 32, Devlin, Giggs, Skepta and N-Dubz. Its material "includes crude productions shot with handheld digital video cameras,"<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Frere-Jones |first1=Sasha |title=True Grime |url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2005/03/21/true-grime |magazine=The New Yorker |date=21 March 2005 |access-date=12 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116151447/https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2005/03/21/true-grime |archive-date=16 November 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> and helps new musicians attract attention and build a fan base.<ref>{{cite web|author=Leon, B.|date=3 September 2007|title=Channel U: The Future Of UK Urban Music?|publisher=The Scene Magazine|url=http://www.britishhiphop.co.uk/index2.php?option=com_content&do_pdf=1&id=1007|access-date=30 March 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090328143212/http://www.britishhiphop.co.uk/index2.php?option=com_content&do_pdf=1&id=1007|archive-date=28 March 2009|url-status=live}}</ref> According to its website, "the aim of the channel was to highlight to the public, the raw and unsigned talent we have in the UK, and give them a platform from which they could perform".<ref>{{cite web|title=The Channel U Shop: About|url=http://www.channelu.tv/shop/index1.html|access-date=2009-03-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090208222906/http://www.channelu.tv/shop/index1.html|archive-date=2009-02-08|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Macpherson |first1=Alex |title=Various artists, Channel U: The Album |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2007/dec/21/urban.shopping |newspaper=The Guardian |date=21 December 2007 |access-date=12 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181112141459/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2007/dec/21/urban.shopping |archive-date=12 November 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref>
===Channel AKA=== thumb|150px|Channel AKA: 16 March 2009 - 11 April 2014 thumb|150px|Channel AKA: 11 April 2014 - 1 June 2018 The parent company of Fizz TV and Channel U went into voluntary liquidation at the beginning of February, 2009, before being purchased by Mushroom TV. When purchasing the two channels, Mushroom TV agreed that Channel U and Fizz TV should be rebranded. The two channels were rebranded as Channel AKA and Starz TV on 16 March 2009.
On 22 June 2012, Mushroom TV entered liquidation.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/60193/notices/1618796|title=Notice: 1618796 (Issue: 60193)|newspaper=The London Gazette|date=28 June 2012|access-date=25 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130522210904/http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/60193/notices/1618796|archive-date=22 May 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> Ofcom's television broadcast licensing update for May 2012, indicates that Channel AKA was sold to All Around the World Productions, who at the time owned Clubland TV and Massive R&B (now Now 90s) and had also acquired Greatest Hits TV under UltimateHits Limited.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://licensing.ofcom.org.uk/tv-broadcast-licences/updates/052012|title=Television Broadcast Licensing Update May 2012|publisher=Ofcom|access-date=25 July 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120719030151/http://licensing.ofcom.org.uk/tv-broadcast-licences/updates/052012|archive-date=19 July 2012}}</ref> On 29 November 2012, the channel launched on Freesat but was removed on 15 April 2013.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.a516digital.com/2012/11/channel-aka-joins-freesat-line-up.html|title=Channel AKA joins Freesat line up|newspaper=a516digital|date=29 November 2012|access-date=16 April 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130528085541/http://www.a516digital.com/2012/11/channel-aka-joins-freesat-line-up.html|archive-date=28 May 2013|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.a516digital.com/2013/04/freesat-lines-up-more-music-channels.html|title=Freesat lines up more music channels|newspaper=a516digital|date=15 April 2013|access-date=16 April 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130420185836/http://www.a516digital.com/2013/04/freesat-lines-up-more-music-channels.html|archive-date=20 April 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> The channel returned to Freesat on 1 October 2015 alongside its sister channels Chilled TV, Clubland TV and Now Music, before being removed again on 12 May 2017.
Channel AKA and its predecessor Channel U have since been remembered for introducing the music careers of artists such as Dizzee Rascal, Kano, Wiley and Lethal Bizzle.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/jun/04/rip-channel-u-urban-music-grime-dizzee-rascal-skepta|title=RIP Channel U: the urban music champion that gave power to the people|last=Adegoke|first=Yomi|date=2018|website=The Guardian|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190626051214/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/jun/04/rip-channel-u-urban-music-grime-dizzee-rascal-skepta|archive-date=2019-06-26}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.complex.com/music/2014/09/15-channel-u-videos-we-will-never-forget/|title=15 Channel U Videos We Will Never Forget|last=Yanney|first=Henry|website=Complex|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190925092006/https://www.complex.com/music/2014/09/15-channel-u-videos-we-will-never-forget/|archive-date=2019-09-25}}</ref>
===Massive R&B=== thumb|150px|Massive R&B logo On 1 June 2018, Channel AKA's slot was replaced with Massive R&B.<ref>{{cite tweet|user=channelAKA385|author=Channel AKA TV|number=1002446374640775168|date=1 June 2018|title=ANNOUNCEMENT! That's it - Channel AKA is no more! We've pioneered grime & UK urban with Channel U & AKA giving first play to many homegrown acts. But today our friends Massive R&B take over Sky373 & we say thanks for all YOUR support over the last 15 years! Love always AKA.}}</ref> (the second time an All Around the World owned network has used the name), now focusing on celebrating classic hip-hop & R&B from the 1990s and 2000s, and current urban music - from US rap to UK grime.<ref name='sky favourites' group='lower-alpha'>As read on the Sky guide when choosing a favourite channel</ref>
===Total Country=== thumb|150px|Total Country logo On 1 November 2018, five months after Massive R&B relaunched, it was rebranded as a country music channel called Total Country, celebrating country music, old and new, from Dolly Parton and Garth Brooks to Carrie Underwood, Ward Thomas and The Shires.<ref name='sky favourites' group='lower-alpha'>As read on the Sky guide when choosing a favourite channel</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.chriscountry.co.uk/music/news/country-news/new-country-tv-channel-to-launch-in-november-2018/?preview=1|title=New Country TV Channel To Launch In November 2018 - Chris Country|newspaper=Chris Country|date=12 October 2018|access-date=19 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181020011636/http://www.chriscountry.co.uk/music/news/country-news/new-country-tv-channel-to-launch-in-november-2018/?preview=1|archive-date=20 October 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
The channel launched on Virgin Media on 8 March 2019, along with sister channel Now 90s. It was previously available via the red button on Clubland TV on the platform along with Now 80s and Now 90s until it was removed on 1 March 2018.<ref>{{cite tweet|user=TotalCountryTV|author=Total Country|number=1103934619903119360|date=8 March 2019|title=It's the news that all @virginmedia customers have been waiting for! We are on channel 348 playing all your country favourites right now!}}</ref>
From 20 November 2019<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.rxtvlog.com/2019/11/total-country-channel-closes.html |title=Total Country channel closes |access-date=2020-01-02 |archive-date=2020-01-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200102221708/https://www.rxtvlog.com/2019/11/total-country-channel-closes.html |url-status=usurped }}</ref> until 27 December 2019, Now 80s used Total Country's slot since the slot that is normally used for Now 80s was used for Now Christmas, efficiently ceasing the channel's broadcast in the process.<ref>{{cite tweet|user=TotalCountryTV|author=Total Country|number=1196729860611289088|date=19 November 2019|title=We have an important announcement to make.}}</ref>
===Now 70s=== On 27 December 2019, the channel was rebranded as Now 70s, becoming the third decade-oriented channel in the Now-branded portfolio.<ref>{{cite tweet|user=NOWMusic|author=NOW That's What I Call Music|number=1205804684201594880|date=14 December 2019|title=Yes the rumours are true, we're about to launch our THIRD music TV channel! Who's excited??? Get ready for NOW 70s TV which launches 27th December on Sky & Virgin!}}</ref>
On 26 February 2020, the channel launched on Freeview on channel 78, replacing Now 90s.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.rxtvlog.com/2020/02/now-70s-launches-on-freeview.html |title=Now 70s launches on Freeview |access-date=2020-02-26 |archive-date=2020-02-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200226183712/https://www.rxtvlog.com/2020/02/now-70s-launches-on-freeview.html |url-status=usurped }}</ref> It was removed from the platform on 26 May 2020, coinciding with Together increasing its broadcast hours,<ref>[https://www.rxtvlog.com/2020/05/early-return-to-regular-freeview-hours.html Early return to regular Freeview hours for Together - RXTV Info | RXTV log]{{Dead link|date=December 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> and returned on 8 July 2020 as an exclusive to Manchester on channel 78 and via Channelbox on channel 271 (connected TVs only).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://rxtvinfo.com/2020/merit-launching-on-freeview-channel-34 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200708115800/https://rxtvinfo.com/2020/merit-launching-on-freeview-channel-34 |archive-date=2020-07-08 |title=Merit launching on Freeview channel 34 {{!}} RXTV info}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://forums.digitalspy.com/discussion/2384179/now-70s-back-on-freeview-for-connected-tvs|title = Now 70s back on Freeview for connected TVS| date=8 July 2020 }}</ref> On 28 April 2021, it returned to Freeview outside Manchester on channel 76, replacing Now 80s, which became exclusive to Manchester.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://rxtvinfo.com/2021/now-70s-returns-to-freeview|title = Now 70s returns to Freeview| newspaper=RXTV |date = 28 April 2021}}</ref>
As well as various chart shows (with former Radio 1 DJs like Mark Goodier and Bruno Brookes) and artist battles (such as Bowie vs Bolan, or ABBA vs Boney M.) based upon the music of the 1970s, the channel also features music from the 1960s in their ''Now 70s presents Now 60s'' programming block, in a similar fashion to how Now 80s had a 1970s programme block prior to the launch of Now 70s as a standalone channel.
On 23 February 2022, it was confirmed that Now 70s and the other three AATW channels would launch on Sky Glass in the future, although a specific launch date was not given.
On 20 September 2022, Now 70s closed on Freeview.
On 2 March 2023, Now 70s reappeared on Freeview as a FAST channel on Channelbox channel 271 alongside Now 80s and Now Rock.<ref>{{Cite tweet |user=ChannelboxTV |number=1631271637143425025 |title=Now 70s, 80s and 90s are back on #Channelbox!! |access-date=16 May 2025}}</ref>
From 28 November until 27 December 2023, Now 70s was rebranded temporarily as '''Now Christmas''' for the 2023 festive season.
==Presenters== DJs hired in the 2020s to present shows for the channel and record voice-overs links include:<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://radiotoday.co.uk/2020/03/former-bbc-radio-1-djs-join-now-70s-tv-channel/|title = Former BBC Radio 1 DJS join NOW 70s TV channel|date = 9 March 2020}}</ref> * Pat Sharp * Simon Bates * Mark Goodier * Tony Blackburn * David Jensen * Robin Banks
==Criticisms== In June 2005, the channel was fined £18,000 by Ofcom for a number of offences, including the broadcasting of inappropriate material, using premium rate telephone services in programmes, and failing to ensure a clear distinction between programmes and advertisements.<ref>{{cite web|title=Consideration of Video Interactive Television Plc in respect of its service Channel U|url=http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/binaries/enforcement/content-sanctions-adjudications/Achannelu.pdf|publisher=Ofcom|access-date=16 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131221215805/http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/binaries/enforcement/content-sanctions-adjudications/Achannelu.pdf|archive-date=21 December 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>
==See also== *1970s nostalgia
==Notes== {{notelist}}
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *[https://web.archive.org/web/20080327023157/http://www.ammocity.com/artman/publish/article_162.shtml Background and history of Channel U]
{{Music television in the United Kingdom}} {{Freeview}}
Category:Music video networks in the United Kingdom Category:Black British music Category:Country music mass media Category:Television channels and stations established in 2003 Category:2003 establishments in the United Kingdom