Just like the vacuum tube vanished into history, this morning at 12 am, the Tube Music Network met the same fate. Those of us with new HDTV's digital televisions were treated to a freebie Music Television channel that - unlike MTV - actually played music videos, non-stop. KDAF Channel 33.1 now has a statement "The Tube Music Network has ceased broadcast operation. KDAF plans to bring you new programming on this digital channel in the near future.."
The Tube aired classic and modern music videos and once-in-a while aired commercials and PSA -- but that's once-in-a while wasn't enough because the Tube ran out of cash.
Even an attempt to sell music through the Tube connect the iPod generation never materialized.
We regret to inform you of the fate that has befallen The Tube Music Network. October 1, 2007 The Tube ceased its national broadcast.
Viewers, Artists, Music Companies, Investors, Business Partners, TV stations, Cable companies, Advertisers , Friends and our creative partners @Radical Media - your support of The Tube has always been highly valued and appreciated. The collective efforts of this team, fueled by the letters we received from viewers, sustained THE TUBE as it struggled through the financial limitations that ultimately contributed to its incapacitated state.
Thank you for inviting The Tube Music Network into your life.
The last song played on the network was "A3 - Woke Up This Morning (Chosen One Mix)" - the same song played on the last episode of "The Sopranos."
So besides cash, what really doomed the Music Television channel?
- Music Videos are pretty much dead
- The TV station stuck to it's core and refused to play Hip Hop, Soul or Reggaeton type of music
- No organization of videos - they just played random ones - a 80's rock hour etc, would have helped
- No way to request videos
- No advertising or hookups with radio stations
- Competition wih the Cable stale music channels
3 comments:
Very sad to see The Tube go. It vanished from KTXL 40.2 as well.
SOME OF THE BEST THINGS ABOUT THE TUBE WERE SOME OF THE THINGS YOU LISTED AS CONTRIBUTING TO ITS DEMISE - RANDOMNESS, NOT PLAYING HIP-HOP OR RAGGAAE OR SOUL (STUFF YOU CAN GET PLENTY OF ON MTV). I BET 'OLDER AUDIENCES' WOULD PAY FOR IT, AND/OR WOULD BE WILLING TO PUT UP WITH ADVERTISING. CAN'T WATCH MTV LIKE IT USED TO BE - CRAP NOW....WHAT A SHAME. MORE RUSH WOULD HAVE HELPED TOO.
I thought The Tube was just like MTV before MTV became unwatchable...YEARS ago. I enjoyed the odd band or new band every so often. I bet with some more marketing, there would be some record companies willing to drop a few dollars to get exposure for their band. To me, The Tube was a gem. I hate to see it go.
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