The Unsettling Qubo “Shut Down” Hoax

About this Video

• Video Title: The Unsettling Qubo “Shut Down” Hoax
• Channel: lulaloopsey
• Speakers: lulaloopsey (The YouTuber)
• Duration: 00:24:08

Introduction

This video investigates a hoax surrounding the shutdown of the children's television channel, Qubo, in 2021. The YouTuber explores Qubo's history, its launch, the companies involved, and ultimately focuses on a viral video depicting a disturbing, fictionalized account of the channel's final moments.

Key Takeaways

• Qubo's Launch and History: Qubo launched in 2006, a joint venture of several major media companies, including ION Media Networks (main owner), NBC Universal, Scholastic, and Classic Media. It initially aired on NBC and ION, later expanding to a 24-hour channel.
• Archival Content: Qubo primarily relied on archival content from its partner companies, with only a few original shows.
• Acquisition and Shutdown: In 2020, E.W. Scripps Company acquired ION Media. Subsequently, in early 2021, Scripps announced the discontinuation of Qubo along with other ION multicast networks.
• The Hoax: A YouTube video depicting Qubo's shutdown went viral. This video featured violent imagery, a countdown timer, and a phone number which, when called, led to a rickroll. This video was not an authentic representation of Qubo's shutdown.
• Unraveling the Hoax: The YouTuber reveals that the video's disturbing content was a deliberate hoax, involving readily available images and music from other sources. The video's creator was identified as Splatkid 82.