Channel AKA
| Channel AKA | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Launched | February 2003 |
| Owned by | All Around the World Productions |
| Picture format | 16:9 SBTV |
| Audience share | 0.01% (September 2015, BARB) |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Broadcast area | UK & Ireland |
| Formerly called | Channel U (2003–2009) |
| Sister channel(s) |
Chilled TV Clubland TV Now Music |
| Website | www.channelaka.com |
|
Availability
|
|
| Satellite | |
| Freesat | Channel 515 |
| Sky | Channel 385 |
| Astra 2G | 11264 H 27500 2/3 |
| Cable | |
| Virgin Media | Channel 345 |
| Streaming media | |
| TVPlayer | Watch live (UK only) |
Channel AKA (formerly Channel U) is a British digital satellite TV channel, owned by All Around the World Productions, available through Sky within the UK and Ireland on channel 385. It is a music channel, focusing on playing upcoming UK urban/grime/hip-hop music and has helped the breakthrough for acts such as Tinchy Stryder, Tinie Tempah, Dizzee Rascal, Chipmunk, Wretch 32, Devlin, Giggs, Skepta and N-Dubz.
Channel AKA is a significant outlet not only for established artists, but also for those who are just starting out. Its material "includes crude productions shot with handheld digital video cameras," and helps new musicians attract attention and build a fan base. 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," and it has been successful in this mission, as suggested by the production and popularity of such compilation CDs as Channel U: The Album,"AKA Presents:Streets Grime and Life"and "Channel AKA:The Hotlist".
Many artists have expressed their loyalty to the channel in their lyrics; for example, in Lady Sovereign's "9 to 5", "Channel who? Oh Channel U, the ones who made me huge, like Katie Price's boobs!". Other artists to comment on Channel U include Kano, Ironik, Lethal Bizzle, Sway, Remi Nicole, Mr Wong, and Dizzee Rascal. Dan le sac vs Scroobius Pip criticised Channel U in their song "Fixed", as did Lowkey, who cited the absence of any innovation and the channel's lack of desire to take risks.
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Wikipedia