 Logo used from 2016 to 2020 | |
| Country | United Kingdom |
|---|---|
| Ownership | |
| Owner | The Box Plus Network (Channel Four Television Corporation) |
| Sister channels | |
| History | |
| Launched | 3 July 2012 (12 years, 44 days) |
| Replaced | Q |
| Closed | 9 January 2020 |
| Former names | Heat (2012–2016) |
_logo.png){kind=logo}
Box Upfront was a British music video television channel owned by The Box Plus Network. It launched on 3 July 2012 as Heat and was originally based on the magazine of the same name. The channel replaced Q.[1]
The channel featured daily celebrity gossip show Heat's Huge News, as well as a 60-minute programme rounding up weeks stories, titled Heat's Huge Week of News, which was produced by ITN.[2] In addition, ITN Productions co-produced celebrity documentary series Real Stories with Box Television. Heat also featured The Heat-Ometer, its pick of the 20 biggest music videos narrated by Heat editor, Lucie Cave.[3]
Box Upfront broadcast current and future mainstream pop music videos 24/7.
On 2 April 2013, all Box Television channels went free-to-air on satellite, apart from 4Music which went free-to-view.[4] As a result, the channels were removed from the Sky EPG in Ireland.[5] However, Heat launched on Freesat on 29 April 2013, alongside Magic, following the addition of four other Box Television channels on 15 April.[6]
On 25 May 2016, the channel was rebranded as Box Upfront.[7] On 1 November 2019, the channel temporarily rebranded as a Christmas music channel called BoXmas, a role also occupied by sister channel Magic (albeit not temporarily rebranded). As the impending shutdown was announced during the rebrand, the channel kept the BoXmas branding, but shifted to a playlist similar to Box Hits on 26 December. Box Upfront ceased to broadcast on 9 January 2020, signing off with a block of departure-themed songs; "Goodbyes" by Post Malone featuring Young Thug, "Bye Bye Bye" by NSYNC, and "Goodbye" by Spice Girls were the last videos played before it ended operations. The channel space then transitioned to a slide stating that BoXmas was "taking a break" and would be back for the next holiday season (though obviously on a different channel), and redirecting viewers to its sister channels.[8] In October 2020, The Box temporarily rebranded as BoXmas, thus making that channel the new home of BoXmas.
- ^ "Bauer axes Q TV after nearly 12 years to make way for Heat TV". Brand Republic. 23 May 2012. Archived from the original on 29 July 2012.
- ^ "ITN PRODUCTIONS WINS CELEBRITY NEWS DEAL FOR HEAT TV". ITN. 28 June 2012. Archived from the original on 10 September 2012.
- ^ "Heat TV to launch on 3 July". The Guardian. 23 May 2012.
- ^ "Bauer's Box channels appear free-to-air on satellite". a516digital. 2 April 2013.
- ^ "YouTube video showing the channels removed from the Sky EPG in Ireland". YouTube. 3 April 2013. Archived from the original on 19 December 2021. Retrieved 29 March 2020.
- ^ "Magic and Heat TV stations added to Freesat". a516digital. 29 April 2013.
- ^ "The Box Plus Network announces the biggest refresh in its 24-year history". The Box Plus Network. 19 May 2016. Archived from the original on 1 July 2016. Retrieved 26 May 2016.
- ^ The End of Box Upfront (9 January 2020)- YouTube