2nd Avenue will sign off for good this Thursday, leaving the future of RJTV-29 in doubt. (Logo courtesy of Solar Entertainment)
One of Solar Entertainment’s long-running channels will sign off for good.
On Thursday, May 31, 2nd Avenue will officially end its broadcasts following a 12-year run. The channel’s impending departure was expected as 2nd Avenue was not included in the new EasyTV set-top digital TV box that Solar released earlier this month.
So far, no reason was given behind its shutdown, but it is likely that 2nd Avenue became the odd channel out due to redundancy in terms of programming. Some of its shows also air on sister channels ETC and Jack TV, both of which are included in the EasyTV lineup in addition to other foreign entertainment channels.
It also adds plenty of intrigue with regards to the future of RJTV-29, 2nd Avenue’s home channel on free TV. Some have theorized over the fate of said channel, ranging from the return to its original format pre-2nd Avenue to a possible new tie-up with Solar Entertainment.
2nd Avenue was initially launched as a spinoff channel to ETC in late 2005, before it was shortened to its current name a few years later. Starting in 2008, 2nd Avenue became available to free TV when Solar Entertainment and Rajah Broadcasting Network signed a blocktime deal to allow the channel to air on RJTV-29.
Over the years, 2nd Avenue featured a wide array of American and international action, drama, entertainment and suspense programs, some of which were later aired a few hours after its original stateside broadcast. And since the move to RJTV-29, the latter’s own programs such as ‘RJ Sunday Jam’ and ‘Thank God It’s RJ’ were aired as well.
Like its sister Solar channel ETC, 2nd Avenue aired 24/7 on cable, satellite and digital TV. However, its operating hours on analog TV remained limited as it only aired 19 hours per day.
Regardless of what the future holds, viewers should look forward to a new era in RJTV-29’s history no matter how it turns out. As for 2nd Avenue, its run may be over, but its memories remain.
UPDATE: Solar Entertainment officially announced that 2nd Avenue will cease broadcast on Tuesday, June 5, not June 1 as originally posted.
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