C4 (New Zealand TV channel)

C4

Country	New Zealand
Broadcast area	National
Programming
Picture format	576i(16:9SDTV)
Ownership
Owner	MediaWorks New Zealand
Sister channels	TV3,FOUR
History
Launched	3 October 2003
Replaced	TV4
Closed	February 2011 (TV network) 26 June 2014 (pay-TV channel)
Replaced by	FOUR(2011) (TV network) The Edge TV(26 June 2014) (pay-TV channel)
Availability
Terrestrial
DVB64-QAMon band IV

C4was a New Zealandtelevision channelowned and operated byMediaWorks New Zealand.C4 was available on both digital terrestrial and satellite platforms and played music around the clock, including music from C4's sister radio division fromThe Rock,The Edge,The Breeze,More FM,George FM,Mai FM&The Sound.C4 also aired a lot of speciality music shows such asHomeGrown,Top 10/100,Video Hits,Fade To Black,Steel Mill,theUChoose40and theBiggest Records Right Now.The channel was originally launched on Friday 3 October 2003 at 08:00pm as a re-branding of TV4 which had been broadcasting since 1997. On 1 May 2010, as C4 had been moving away from music programming since 2008, the jukebox side was split off and C4 launched a second C4 channel on Channel 9 called C4 2. C4 2 was only available on digitalFreeviewterrestrial and satellite platforms. At the end of 2010 an announcement was made that MediaWorks would again re-brand the current C4 channel asFOUR,which meant C4 2 would be converted to a music show as C4 was moved to its Channel 9 position. C4 shut down on Thursday 26 June 2014 at 01:00 am. It was replaced byThe Edge TVthe next day on Friday 27 June 2014 at 04:00 pm. Nearly a decade later on 17 October 2023 two weeks after the official 20th anniversary,The Spinoffpaid tribute to C4 in a podcast video onYouTubecelebrating C4's 20 year anniversary.

Previous logo starting from 2003 to 2008

C42 logo used during the channel's existence between May 2010 and February 2011.

History

C4 was launched on Friday night 3 October 2003 at 08:00pm,when TV4 (which first aired in 1997) ceased broadcasting and relaunched as a music television channel called C4. C4, which stands for "Channel 4", was originally going to be known as "4Music" before it was officially unveiled as C4.TV3andTV4managing director Rick Friesen said that the name had been chosen for its "bold simplicity".The first show to broadcast on C4 was the100 Best Music Videos Of All Time(Top 100), which was a countdown show where viewers voted prior to the show for their favourite music videos. The first music video to air on C4 to start the Channel off wasExit To The CitybyThe D4.The Top 100 also includedMetallica-One,described as "utter, utter nonsense" during an article onThe New Zealand Heraldin its countdown show,marking the first Metallica music video to air on C4. The final music video to air on the100 Best Music Videos Of All Time(Top 100) wasNirvana-Smells Like Teen Spirit.This very music video has also famously received the same top spot on one ofThe Rock's annual countdown events around the time of C4's launch.TV programming on C4 included local made shows such asSelect LiveandThe Official NZ Top 40.New Zealand On Airpaid $500,000 for the first year of operation and C4 was to broadcast 58 hours a week of music television in prime-time, reaching 72% of the population, with a target of 20–25% New Zealand music content.

C4 had a deal withMTVNetworks to airMTVprogramming such asPimp My Ride.The MTV content on C4 remained on air after Sky TV launched a local MTV station featuring some of the same shows. MTV content decreased in 2008 when the channel moved towards general entertainment.

On 11 April 2007 C4 began broadcasting in14:9 widescreenon SKY TV. C4 then switched to a 16:9 widescreen format on 2 May 2007, the same day asFreeviewlaunched. C4 screened inletterboxed14:9 widescreenon4:3analogueVHFbroadcasts.

24-hour broadcasts began in 2007 but only to digital viewers. The channel played music videos overnight followed by a music breakfast show with no presenters. Analogue viewers continued to see infomercials during these times.

From 1 July 2008, the channel began the process of changing from a music channel to a youth-oriented entertainment network, operating under the same programming direction of its sister stationTV3.In addition, C4 moved to channel 12 on Sky Digital and TelstraClear InHome TV platforms to reflect its new programming direction with a reduced focus on music.

On 1 May 2010, as part of the contract with Freeview to provide at least four channels, MediaWorks launched a second C4 channel called C4 2. C4 2 streamed unhosted music videos back-to-back. The channel was available exclusively on the Freeview platform on Channel 9.

At 06:00 pm on 6 February 2011, C4 moved to Channel 9 on Freeview instead of replacing C4 2. C4 converted its second C4 channel to a music show.MediaWorksthen launched the return of TV4 asFOURin place of C4. The final music show on C4 before the changeover was theTop 100 Music Videos Ever,a similar show that was used to launch C4 in the end of 2003. The final music video screened before the changeover as well as to take out the Number 1 Top Spot on the Top 100 wasThrillerbyMichael Jackson.From 2011 onwards C4 screened a low-cost jukebox of music videos once again compiled by theme and a rerun of FOUR live, as many of the entertainment shows seen on C4 between 2008 and 2011 were moved to FOUR. C4 was available exclusively to Freeview viewers until 2012 when C4 returned to Sky.

On 25 September 2012, MediaWorks decided to provide four regionalsimulcastsof the channel on the Freeview satellite platform, which resulted in no space forC4.MediaWorks decided to replace the Sky simulcast of FOUR with C4, meaning only satellite viewers with either a generic DVB or Sky supplied receiver would be the only ones to get all channels via satellite.Due to a number of certified Freeview receivers only scanning and setting Freeview channels, from October 2013, the TVNZ metadata on the Freeview satellite service was changed to include the C4 feed on the Sky service. Certified Freeview receivers could manually add the channel.

C4 ceased broadcasting operations on 26 June 2014 at 01:00 am. The final music show to air on C4 wasC42.The final music video to air on C4 wasExit To The CitybyThe D4.MediaWorks launched a new music channel to replace C4 calledThe Edge TV,which is run by the radio stationThe Edge.The Edge TVwas launched on Freeview Channel 11, and a time shift version ofFOURcalled FOUR + 1 was launched in place of C4.

On 17 October 2023 nearly a decade after C4 ceased broadcasting operations,The Spinoffpaid tribute to C4's 20th anniversary in a podcastonYouTubeand on their websitecelebrating C4 in a time when the internet was slow and the demand for music videos was high.Duncan Grievealso explained what would've had happened if C4 was to return that "It wouldn't work, that there isn't an easy way to replicate C4, but still feel the absence in the space where the culture could be knitted together and mediated in a fun way and get a sense of who are the people behind that".

All shows that aired on C4

Amp'd

Amp'daired on Thursday nights. It featured hard rock and alternative music, and was hosted byJono Pryor. SingStar juice tv is music PlayStation 2 including steriogram, 48may, Pluto, eight, atlas, the feelers, eye tv, zed, venice, metanoia, stellar*, the d4, Ekko park, shihad & many more.

Animation Station

TheAnimation Stationaired every Thursday night on C4 and it aired Animated shows such asSouth Park,King of the Hill,The Cleveland Show,Futurama&Family Guy.

Pop Machete

Pop Machetewas a half-hour-long programme aired Thursday at 09:00 pm on C4. Hosted by Damien Blank and Craig Easson.Pop Machetefeatures alternative music videos, news and interviews.

The Takeover

The Takeoverwas a half-hour-long programme that follows-up after Pop Machete at 09:30 pm on C4. Hosted by Damien Blank, Craig Easson and a randomly selected band. The band has control over the music programming over the half-hour.

Holla Hour

Holla Hourwas a classic C4 programme hosted by DJ Sir-Vere on Mondays at 10:00 pm on C4. Returning after a long absence on the TV channel,Holla Hourfeatures the latest hip hop music videos, interviews and news in Hip Hop and Rn'B music. Final show was on 23 June 2014 at 10:00 pm.

C42

C42(Previously the second C4 channel, then became a music show from 6 February 2011 after TV4's return asFOUR) aired daily on C4 from 11:00 pm – 05:00 am, then 05:00 am – 06:00 am only on Mondays – Fridays and 11:00 am – 01:00 pm daily. The programme airedalternative musicvideos back-to-back, including someRock musicvideos fromThe Rocksuch asPluto-Dance Stamina,The Vines-Get Free&Shihad-La La Land(All 3 Of Them Aired On 30 June 2013) with a couple of ad-breaks at the hour. Final show was on 25 June 2014 at 09:00 pm – 01:00 am the next morning when C4 came to the end of the line. The final music video to air onC42wasThe D4-Exit To The City.

Spoon

Spoonwas a classic C4 programme which aired "Smooth Music Videos" in the early hours of the morning such asSalmonella Dub-Push On Thru,Fat Freddy's Drop-Ray Ray,Gotan Project-Mi Confesión,Massive Attack-Be Thankful For What You Got,including someRock musicvideos fromThe Rocksuch asJohnny Cash-Hurt(18 August 2012) &Radiohead-Creep(16 September 2012).Spoonaired during the weekends on Saturday & Sunday mornings from 05:00 am – 06:00 am on C4.

The Big Breakfast

The Big Breakfastwas where you can listen to a random mix of music videos dating from back in the days up to today's hit music vids.The Big Breakfastaired on C4 every morning from 06:00 am – 10:00 am. Final show was on 25 June 2014 at 06:00 am – 09:00 am.

Common Ground

Common Groundaired R&B and hip hop music videos on C4 airing at random programme slot times throughout the week.

Blender

Blenderplays hit music videos back to back daily at 02:00 pm on C4 and at random programme slot times throughout the week. Final show was on 25 June 2014 from 09:00 am – 09:00 pm.

Video Hits

Video Hitshighlighted one or many artists such asJimmy Eat Worldwith their latest hits or classic video hits.Video Hitsaired at random programme slot times throughout the week.

C4U

C4Uwas where the viewers have the opportunity to have their own playlist aired on C4 for half an hour. Viewers were able to submit their playlist at the C4 website.C4Uaired during the weekends on Saturday and Sunday nights at 07:30 pm – 08:00 pm.

UChoose40

TheUChoose40aired themed-countdowns whether it may be about "Gone But Not Forgotten", "90's Music", "Worst Songs Of The Decade", "15 Minutes Of Fame" or "Party Floor Fillers". C4 picked the theme and the viewers were given the chance to decide how the countdown plays out by voting for their favourite tracks out of the list provided on the C4 website.

Here are a couple of music videos that got the Number 1 Top Spot where the C4 viewers chose to vote No. 1 for this very music video the most on TheUChoose40:

(20 April 2013) "Party Floor Fillers" -Nirvana-Smells Like Teen Spirit.This very music video also received the same Top Spot fromThe Rock's countdown event (formerly known as The Rock 500) a decade before C4 aired its "Party Floor Fillers" theme on the UChoose40.

(13 July 2013) "15 Minutes Of Fame" -Vanilla Ice-Ice Ice Baby.

Counting down from 40 to 1, theUChoose40aired on Saturday nights at 08:00 pm – 11:00 pm.

What's The Theme?

What's The Theme?played out an hour of a random topic theme. May it be "Pop Princesses", "Coming To The Country Soon" & "Kiwi Artists Making It Big Overseas". Here are a lot of other themes that aired these music videos, famously heard onThe Rock:

(22 February 2012) "Love" -Foo Fighters-Everlong.On 6 November 2020, over 8 years after C4 aired this very music video by the Foo Fighters under the Love theme at the time, this received the Number 1 Top Spot onThe Rock's upgraded countdown events as The Rock 2000 (Top 2000).

(2 April 2012) "Legends" - The first music video to start the show off wasJohnny Cash-Hurt,immediately followed byLed Zeppelin-Rock & Roll,then half way through the show wasSplit Enz-Dirty Creature.The final music video to air under the Legends theme wasJimi Hendrix-Hey Joe.

(1 May 2012) "Happy NZ Music Month!!!" -Th' Dudes-Bliss&Dragon-Rain.

(30 July 2012) "Number 1 For Ages" -Atlas-Crawl.

(27 May 2013) "80's Throwbacks" - The first music video to start the show off wasA Flock Of Seagulls-I Ran (So Far Away).Half way through the show wasThe Cult-She Sells Sanctuary.

(28 June 2013) "90's Icons" - The first music video to start the show off wasThe Smashing Pumpkins-Today,immediately followed byAlanis Morissette-You Oughta Know.A little later on in a trio back to back wasGarbage-I Think I'm Paranoid,The Red Hot Chili Peppers-Under The Bridge&The Offspring-Come Out And Play.Then again a little later on half way through the middle of the 90's Icons theme was another back to back set of trios of the legendaryNirvana-Come As You Are,No Doubt-Just A Girl&Soundgarden-Black Hole Sun.A little later on again, the final 3 music videos to air under the 90's Icons theme back to back wasOasis-Live Forever,Green Day-Good Riddance (Time Of Your Life)&Pearl Jam-Alive(As the LIVE version only instead of the plugged in version thatThe Rockairs). On 12 June 2019, nearly 6 years after C4 aired Nirvana'sCome As You Areunder the 90's Icons theme at the time,SCS Softwarereleased theWashingtonDLCstate forAmerican Truck Simulatorwhich included the hometown ofAberdeen, WAwhere you can visit the official "Welcome To Aberdeen: Come As You Are" sign as a tribute to the memory of Nirvana's lead musicianKurt Cobain,including a garage C4 (as an unofficial tribute to C4) located off theI-405Motorway at theKenworthTruck Factory inSeattle, WA.

(22 November 2013) "X-Rated" - The first music video to start the show off wasSystem Of A Down-Aerials,followed byFoo Fighters-Low&Metallica-St. Angerback to back half way through the X-Rated theme. This was the day beforeDoctor Whocelebrated its50th Anniversary.

(14 April 2014) "Planes,Trains,& Automobiles "-Red Hot Chili Peppers-Aeroplane,Spiderbait-Black Betty,Kenny Loggins-Danger Zone.The final music video to air under the Planes, Trains & Automobiles theme wasZZ Top-Gimme All Your Lovin'.

(13 June 2014) "Awesome Bogan Songs" -AC/DC-Thunderstruck.In 2015 only a year after C4 shut down, this very music video by AC/DC received the Number 1 Top Spot onThe Rock's countdown events. Other music videos in the theme includedGuns N' Roses-Welcome To The Jungle,Ozzy Osbourne-Crazy Train,George Thorogood-Bad To The Bone,Slipknot-Duality,Metallica-Enter Sandman&Judas Priest-Breaking The Law.The final music video to air under the Awesome Bogan Songs theme wasLed Zeppelin-Whole Lotta Love(As the LIVE version only instead of the plugged in version thatThe Rockairs).

Including other themes such as "School's Out!!!", "Friendship", "Black & White", "Money, Money, Money!!!", and "Cool Cars".What's The Theme?aired on C4 at random programme slot times throughout the week. (Final show was on 24 June 2014).

Top 10/100

Top 10/100showed you the countdown of an artist such asThe Exponents,Bic Runga,The Black Seeds,Gorillaz,including topics such as "Divas", "Lost In Space" & "Cool Cars" or just a Top 10 for the sake of it. Sometimes, C4 would also air a special Top 100 event for example at the start and the end of the year, under the same intro and outro as the Top 10. This also marked the very 1st ever music show (as the Top 100) to air when C4 launched.

Here are some music videos that got the Number 1 Top Spot from the mentioned Artists, Bands & Topics on theTop 10/100:

(3 October 2003) ( "Best Music Videos Of All Time" ) -Nirvana-Smells Like Teen Spirit.

(6 February 2011) ( "Music Videos Ever" ) -Michael Jackson-Thriller.

(24 March 2012)Gorillaz-Feel Good Inc.

(28 April 2012) "Divas" -Celine Dion-My Heart Will Go On.

(2 May 2012)Bic Runga-Drive.

(7 May 2012)The Exponents-Victoria.

(24 May 2012)The Black Seeds-Coming Back Home.

(14 July 2012) "Cool Cars" -Audioslave-Show Me How To Live.

(22 February 2014) "Lost In Space" -Muse-Sing For Absolution.

Counting down from 10/100 to 1, Top 10 (Top 100 Sometimes) aired on C4 daily from 10:00 am – 11:00 am. (Final show was on 24 June 2014).

Twice As Nice

Twice As Niceaired music videos from one artist or a band back to back such asSIX60-Don't Forget Your Roots&Rise Up(14 April 2014).Twice As Niceaired at random programme slot times throughout the week.

FOUR Live

FOUR Liveon C4 was a repeat of the broadcast which aired earlier onFOUR.FOUR Livewas hosted by Shannon Ryan (2012–13),Drew NeemiaandKanoa Lloyd.The programme is 90 minutes of interviews, news and music videos airing with the viewers say. TheFOUR Liverepeat aired at 07:30 pm – 09:00 pm weeknights on C4.

Fade To Black

Fade To Blackwas a programme which airedRock musicvideos, famously heard fromThe Rockradio station on C4 such asKorn-Coming Undone(2 April 2012). The programme aired at random programme slot times throughout the week. (Final show was on 24 June 2014.)

The Best...

The Bestwas the best of an artist or maybe a time of music such as "Covers" (10 April 2012).The Bestaired at random programme slot times throughout the week on C4.

Homegrown

Homegrownplayed 100%New Zealandkiwi music on C4 such asDevilskin-Little Pills(10 April 2012).Homegrownaired at random programme slot times throughout the week.

Technologic

Technologicplays out the best dance music videos.Technologicaired at random programme slot times throughout the week on C4.

Added This Week

Added This Weekgave C4 the chance to play out the newest music videos to hit the music scene. Sometimes if you're lucky, it may have been hours-of-the-release of a video.Added This Weekplayed out at random programme slot times throughout the week.

10 Years Of...

10 Years Of...Pop Music? Rock Music? Trendy & Popular Videos?10 Years Of...was a show that gave C4 the chance to do a casual throwback such as "Tui Winners 00 - 09" (23 May 2012).

So Hot Right Now

So Hot Right Nowwas where the hottest videos of the week, right now aired on C4. The programme aired at random programme slot times throughout the week.

Steel Mill

Steel Millwas a programme which airedMetal musicvideos on C4 such asKreator-Phantom Antichrist&Civilization Collapse(22 November 2013). The programme aired at random programme slot times throughout the week.Steel Millno longer aired on the station.

C4 Select Live

C4 Select Livewas hosted by Joel Defries and text to select to the song to play

Select Late

Select Latewas aired very late

Freestyle

Freestylewas hosted by Teuila Blakely C4's live music show

Edge Chart

Edge Chartwas a radio station chart countdown

References

• FOUR's new TV schedule
• "Phase Four Report Card"NZ On Air, Wellington
• Bay of Plenty Times (22 Feb.) 2006."Catholics angry at show's timing".Retrieved 23 February 2006.
• Freeview website[1]Archived27 April 2016 at theWayback Machine

Notes

External links

• Official website