diff --git a/slic/core/acquisition/channels.py b/slic/core/acquisition/channels.py
index 7d1b3367e..8f8de5e33 100644
--- a/slic/core/acquisition/channels.py
+++ b/slic/core/acquisition/channels.py
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 from abc import ABC, abstractmethod
 from collections import namedtuple
 from slic.utils.printing import format_header, itemize
-from slic.utils.channels import parse_channel_list_file
+from slic.utils.channels import load_channels
 
 
 import colorama
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ class Channels(list, ABC):
 
     @classmethod
     def from_file(cls, fname):
-        channels = parse_channel_list_file(fname)
+        channels = load_channels(fname)
         return cls(*channels)
 
     def __repr__(self):
diff --git a/slic/utils/channels.py b/slic/utils/channels.py
index d9964a1ae..303c89ca1 100644
--- a/slic/utils/channels.py
+++ b/slic/utils/channels.py
@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
+import warnings
 
-def parse_channel_list_file(fname):
+
+def load_channels(fname):
     out = set()
     with open(fname, "r") as f:
         for line in f:
@@ -11,10 +13,18 @@ def parse_channel_list_file(fname):
     return sorted(out)
 
 
+
+message = """\
+The class slic.utils.Channels is deprecated.
+Please use, whichever appropriate, slic.core.acquisition.BSChannel, slic.core.acquisition.PVChannel or slic.utils.load_channels instead.
+"""
+
+
 class Channels(list):
 
     def __init__(self, fname):
-        chs = parse_channel_list_file(fname)
+        warnings.warn(message, DeprecationWarning, stacklevel=2)
+        chs = load_channels(fname)
         self.extend(chs)