Channel 4 to launch music station?

The popularity of E4's Music Zone could lead to a standalone channel, according to a report in Broadcast this week.

The strand, launched last August, currently ranks as the second most-watched music channel between its broadcast hours of 6am and 2pm.

Channel 4 has already outlined its intentions to launch a new channel this year and was said to be giving serious thought to a channel based solely on US acquisitions.

Now a channel spun off from E4's music block appears to be the favoured option, although how such a channel would affect the existing E4 strand remains to be seen.

The news comes on the back of E4 Music being recommissioned for a further year. “E4 Music has come a long way in a very short time and we are delighted that we now have the opportunity to develop it yet further," said executive producer Toby Dormer. "The simple format of music videos and young, funny and knowledgeable presenters is exactly what E4 viewers and music fans want.”