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Trace Vault
Trace Vault
Trace Vault
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Trace Vault (formerly Video Vault and The Vault) was a British free-to-air music and entertainment television channel owned by Trace Group.[1]

Key Information

On 1 November 2019, the channel rebranded as Trace Vault following TRACE's takeover of Sony's music channels.[2] The first song on the new TRACE Vault was "Crank That (Soulja Boy)" by Soulja Boy Tell'em.

History

[edit]

Chart Show Channels launched Video Vault as a late night (3 am to 6 am) service within Chart Show TV's downtime on 12 March 2003, replacing Chart Shop TV. It was renamed The Vault on 16 July 2003 and increased hours to 8 pm to 6 am, moving to Pop's broadcast capacity, and then expanded to 24 hours a day on 17 September 2003. The channel played nostalgic music and classic pop from the 1960s onwards, occasionally featuring music videos and concert footage from as early as at least the 1950s.

The Vault logo was on screen in the top left-hand corner during music videos and the song information faded in and out, at the bottom of the screen, at the start and near the end of each music video.

The Vault rebranded with a new logo and graphics presentation on 29 April 2010 along with newly themed content and a much more diverse mix of classic pop, classic dance, classic rock, classic RnB, love songs and chill out music throughout the previous 25 years. By 2011, the channel focused on old and new pop music. A further rebrand took place in 2014. Another rebrand happened in 2016 with some entertainment shows from the 90s being added gradually.[3]

The channel was launched on Freeview in November 2017, replacing Chart Show TV, but was removed on 7 November 2018 and its slot being replaced by its former sister channel True Movies +1. The channel was also available on Freesat channel 501 since the platform's launch until its removal on 21 October 2019, when it was replaced by Christmas Starz.

"Cry Me a River" by Justin Timberlake was the final song to be played before the rebrand, but the song was cut part way through as happened on the network's sister channels.

After 20 years of operation, the channel closed on 14 December 2023,[4] with the final song to be played was We're All in This Together from High School Musical. Similar to other Sony/Trace networks, the channel froze on the video halfway through, briefly showcasing a technical fault slide.

Programming

[edit]

Music programming

[edit]
  • 80s Ballads - The best power ballads from the 1980s.
  • Back to... - All the biggest songs from a certain year.
  • Battle of the... - Music from artists or bands based on different themes.
  • Best of the 1980s - Hit music videos from the 1980s.
  • Best of the 1990s - The best music from the 1990s.
  • Cuddle up with Vault - Relaxing chill-out music.
  • Feel Good Anthems
  • Greatest Number 2s - The best songs to reach number two from different years.
  • Hits from Flix - The best music from top films.
  • Hunkz and Honeyz - Classic videos featuring the best artists.
  • Infinite Classics - All-time classic songs.
  • Karaoke Klassics - A collection of classic karaoke songs.
  • Motown Classics - Classic motown music videos.
  • Number 1s at One - The best chart topping songs from previous years.
  • Number 1s of... - Number one songs from a chosen year.
  • Number 2s at Two - Classic songs from previous years that made it to number two in the charts.
  • Original vs Cover - A collection of original songs and their cover versions.
  • Rise and Shine - Classic music videos.
  • Same but Different - Different songs with shared titles.
  • Saturday Nite Party - Classic party anthems.
  • Thank Classic it's Friday! - The best feel good music.
  • The Greatest No. 1s of the 80s - The best number one songs from the 1980s.
  • The Greatest No. 1s of the Noughties - Big hit number one songs.
  • The Very Best of... - The biggest songs from a chosen year.
  • Thru the Years - A look back at the life and music of a particular artist or band.
  • Top 5 at 5... - The best five songs from an artist.
  • Top 10 Hits - A countdown of the top 10 songs from different years.
  • Top 20 80s Ballads - A countdown of the 1980s top 20 power ballads.
  • Vault Classics - Non-stop classic music videos.
  • Vault Hits - The best music from the last five years.
  • Vault Loves... Non-stop music from a certain artist or band.
  • Vault's Pub Jukebox - The best classic songs.
  • Vault's Top 10 - The top 10 classic videos from a particular year.
  • Vault @ Nite - Non-stop classic music videos.
  • Vault's Best Selection - A collection of the best classic songs.
  • Videos from The Vault - Hit songs from previous years.
  • Weekend Wake up - Classic music videos.
  • What was Big in...? - The biggest news in showbiz from a certain year.
  • Where are They Now?... - Best songs from that particular artist.

Entertainment shows

[edit]
  • The original Vault logo (2003–2010)
    The original Vault logo (2003–2010)
  • The logo used from 2010 to 2014
    The logo used from 2010 to 2014
  • The final logo for The Vault used from 2014 to 2019
    The final logo for The Vault used from 2014 to 2019
  • Trace Vault logo used from 2019 to 2020
    Trace Vault logo used from 2019 to 2020

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Trace Vault

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Trace Vault was a British free-to-air music and entertainment owned by Trace Group, focusing on nostalgic content from the late and . Launched as a rebranded of the earlier channel The Vault on 1 November 2019, it broadcast a mix of hit music videos from the era alongside iconic TV programs such as Sister, Sister, , and . The channel originated from the acquisition of several music channels by Trace Group from in December 2018, which included The Vault—a service that had evolved from Video Vault, initially introduced in 2003 by Chart Show Channels as a late-night slot. Under Trace ownership, Trace Vault emphasized mainstream nostalgic programming, featuring upbeat music selections and celebrity takeovers to appeal to viewers seeking retro entertainment. It was available on platforms like channel 360, targeting a broad audience with its accessible, fun format. Trace Vault ceased operations on 14 December 2023, vacating its slot as part of broader changes to Trace Music's portfolio, marking the end of a 20-year lineage of nostalgic music .

History

Launch and early years

Video Vault was launched on 12 March 2003 by , replacing the shopping channel Chart Shop TV in its existing Digital slot on channel 456. The channel debuted as a part-time service, broadcasting during the downtime of Chart Show TV and featuring classic music videos from the onward across , and RnB genres, with a strict focus on archival content excluding contemporary releases. On 16 July 2003, it was renamed The Vault to better reflect its nostalgic programming identity. The channel expanded to full 24-hour broadcasting on 17 September 2003, solidifying its position as a dedicated outlet for vintage music videos on the Sky platform.

Evolution as The Vault

Following its establishment as Video Vault in 2003, The Vault emerged as a dedicated nostalgia-driven music channel, focusing on classic videos from various genres and decades to appeal to viewers seeking retro content. A significant milestone in its growth occurred in 2008 with the launch on , the satellite platform, which positioned the channel at EPG number 501 and broadened its reach to households without subscription fees. By the early , the channel had matured its programming to emphasize a diverse mix of classic pop and hits from the and , solidifying its role in preserving musical heritage without incorporating contemporary tracks. Visual updates further supported this evolution; in 2014, The Vault introduced a refreshed graphics package centered on a "digital vault" motif stocked with 90s pop icons, blending modern with nostalgic themes to enhance viewer engagement.

Rebranding and ownership changes

In November 2017, The Vault launched on Freeview platform 75, expanding its accessibility to digital terrestrial viewers across the . However, the channel was removed from Freeview on 7 November as part of multiplex adjustments. In December , Trace Group acquired The Vault, along with Chart Show TV, Chart Show Hits, and , from , marking Trace's strategic re-entry into the music television market. This acquisition aligned with Trace's focus on urban music and lifestyle content, enhancing its global portfolio of 24 themed pay TV channels dedicated to Afro-urban genres and expanding its hybrid broadcast-digital offerings in the . On 1 November 2019, The Vault rebranded as Trace Vault, introducing a refreshed identity while retaining its core emphasis on nostalgic music videos and programming from the late and . The rebrand adopted a 16:9 SDTV format and integrated Trace's branding elements, including updated idents that built on prior visual styles from The Vault era for continuity. This shift positioned Trace Vault as a rewind channel featuring hit-driven content from that period, complementing Trace Group's urban music .

Closure

In late 2023, Trace Group announced the closure of Trace Vault as part of their strategic exit from certain linear television operations on platforms, with the channel set to be removed from Sky channel 360 before . The channel's final broadcast aired on 14 December 2023, marking the end of over two decades of operation that had originated as Video Vault in 2003. Following the shutdown, the vacated Sky channel 360 slot was acquired by through an Electronic Programme Guide trade, relaunching as a channel in early 2024.

Programming

Music content

Trace Vault's music programming centered on nostalgic music videos from the and , with a particular emphasis on , RnB, and club classics. The channel featured a rotation of archival videos from various genres and decades in its early years as Video Vault and The Vault, gradually narrowing to hits from the late and following rebrands in and 2016 that heightened the focus on . After the acquisition by Trace Group, the programming shifted toward urban and tracks from the and , aligning with Trace's expertise in global urban music. The core format involved continuous video rotation of hit tracks, interspersed with themed blocks and specials to evoke nostalgia. Notable themed programming included "Club Classics," which showcased dance anthems such as ' "Galvanize," Moloko's "Sing It Back," and 's "Praise You." Decade retrospectives highlighted era-specific retrospectives, while occasional artist-focused segments featured extended plays of career-spanning videos. Launch and closing sequences often bookended programming with iconic tracks; for instance, the 2019 rebrand to Trace Vault opened with Soulja Boy Tell'em's "Crank That (Soulja Boy)." This approach prioritized audiovisual immersion in throwback content, occasionally integrating brief crossovers with entertainment specials for enhanced viewer engagement.

Entertainment programming

Trace Vault's entertainment programming, introduced following the channel's 2019 rebrand, emphasized nostalgic reruns of 1990s and 2000s sitcoms to complement its music-focused content. Key examples included back-to-back episodes of popular series such as Sister, Sister, Kenan & Kel, and Moesha. The programming also featured celebrity takeovers with familiar faces to appeal to viewers seeking retro entertainment. Holiday specials added seasonal variety, such as TV quizzes challenging viewers on festive programming knowledge, broadcast during schedules. These formats prioritized archived content without original productions, evoking 1990s-2000s through selective pop culture highlights.

Availability

Satellite and cable distribution

Trace Vault was available on the Sky Digital satellite platform on electronic programme guide (EPG) position 360 in its later years until closure on 14 2023. This position, via the satellite, provided consistent access for subscribers seeking nostalgic music and content. It originated from Video Vault, a late-night slot launched in 2003 within Chart Show TV. The channel was also available free-to-air on from the platform's 2008 launch, initially as The Vault on EPG 501, providing an accessible option for viewers without subscription fees. Following the 2019 rebranding to Trace Vault under Trace Group's ownership, it was removed from on 21 October 2019 and replaced by Christmas Starz on the same slot. During its operation, Trace Vault was distributed via cable providers including and smaller regional operators, typically positioned in higher EPG ranges to align with music and entertainment categories. The broadcast was standardized in SDTV resolution with a 16:9 and no high-definition variant, ensuring compatibility across and cable infrastructures without requiring advanced equipment.

Digital terrestrial and other platforms

Trace Vault launched on the UK's Freeview digital terrestrial platform on 7 November 2017, occupying a multiplex slot previously held by Chart Show TV to extend reach to households without or cable access. This move targeted a wider for its 1990s and 2000s music and entertainment programming, broadcast during off-peak hours from 9pm to 6am. However, the channel struggled with consistently low viewership shares, typically ranging from 0.01% to 0.1%, leading to its removal from Freeview exactly one year later on 7 November 2018, with the slot reassigned to Crime Channel +1. Beyond terrestrial broadcast, Trace Vault had a limited , primarily through for promotional purposes. The official channel uploaded clips, full music videos, and curated playlists like the Club Classics series featuring tracks from artists such as and , but it did not develop a dedicated full-time streaming service. The channel's distribution was confined to the , reflecting its focus on audiences despite parent company Trace Group's international operations in over 40 countries. No official expansions to other regions occurred, maintaining its role as a domestic offering. After the 2019 rebranding under Trace, efforts shifted toward supplementary digital access, including integration into the TracePlay app (rebranded as Trace+ in 2023) for on-demand viewing of select archives and related content until the channel's closure. This VOD functionality provided limited catch-up options for music videos and shows, though the channel's core availability stayed platform-bound via traditional TV. Post-closure in 2023, Trace Vault content availability on Trace+ remains limited to select clips on .
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