10 Popular TV Channels That Don’t Exist Anymore
These once-thriving TV channels were household names before shutting down or being rebranded.
- Daisy Montero
- 3 min read
TV used to be filled with channels that felt like part of the family. Some brought us teen dramas, others focused on tech, gaming, or business news. A few catered to niche audiences, creating a loyal fan base before disappearing. These networks may be gone, but they left behind unforgettable shows, moments, and a little bit of magic that still lingers in pop culture.
1. The WB
The WB on Wikimedia Commons
The WB was a favorite for teen dramas like Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Gilmore Girls. In 2006, it merged with the UPN to form The CW, marking the end of its standalone identity. While The CW still airs shows today, The WB’s charm and original branding are long gone.
2. UPN
Viacom and CBS Corporation on Wikimedia Commons
UPN brought us cult classics like Star Trek: Voyager and Veronica Mars. The network shut down in 2006 when it merged with The WB to create The CW. Despite its short-lived run, UPN played a crucial role in giving diverse voices a platform on television.
3. TechTV
™/®Future US, Inc. on Wikimedia Commons
Before YouTube and tech podcasts, there was TechTV, a network dedicated to technology and gaming. It merged with G4 in 2004, but fans still remember its in-depth gadget reviews and shows like The Screen Savers. The tech world has since evolved, but TechTV was ahead of its time.
4. CNNfn
US Department of Labor on Wikimedia Commons
Before financial news was a click away, CNNfn delivered up-to-network business news but struggled against CNBC. By 2004, it was shut down, with some of its content absorbed into CNN.
5. Current TV
Current TV on Wikimedia Commons
Co-founded by AI Gore, Current TV focused on progressive news and user-generated content. It struggled to maintain viewership and was eventually sold to AI Jazeera in 2013. The network’s experiment in audience-driven journalism was bold but unsustainable.
6. Court TV
Katz Networks LLC on Wikimedia Commons
Court TV was the go-to channel for high-profile trials, including the O.J. Simpson case. It rebranded as truTV in 2008, shifting toward reality-based entertainment. The name was revived in 2019, but the original Court TV’s impact on legal journalism was unmatched.
7. G4TV
Public domain on Wikimedia Commons
G4TV was a paradise for gamers, airing shows like X-Play and Attack of the Show! It struggled to find mainstream success and was shut down in 2014, though a brief revival attempt in 2014 and 2021 also failed. Gaming content has since moved online, but G4TV remains a nostalgic favorite.
8. The Hub
Hub Network on Wikimedia Commons
The Hub brought cartoons and family-friendly programming to life, featuring My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic. Hasbro rebranded it as Discovery Family in 2014, shifting away from its original focus. While The Hub’s lineup was short-lived, it left a devoted fanbase behind.
9. Speed Channel
CBSFan2024WIKI on Wikimedia Commons
Speed Channel was the ultimate network for motorsports fans, airing NASCAR, Formula 1, and car-related content. Fox shut it down in 2013, replacing it with Fox Sports 1. While FS1 covers sports broadly, die-hard racing fans still miss Speed’s dedicated coverage.
10. MTV Classic (Formerly VH1 Classic)
Viacom International Media Networks on Wikimedia Commons
VH1 Classic catered to rock and pop culture fans, airing classic music videos and documentaries. It was rebranded as MTV Classic in 2016 but has since faded into obscurity. Streaming services have taken over music nostalgia, but this channel once kept the golden era of music alive.