Foxtel axes Lifestyle You and cuts Foxtel Arts channel to six hours a day
Foxtel has revealed changes to its channel line up, with Foxtel Arts and Foxtel Smooth to share a broadcast signal, and Lifestyle YOU disappearing.
Effective from October 11, Lifestyle YOU will cease broadcasting with its programming to be divided across Lifestyle Channel, Arena and on demand, which are available through Foxtel’s Entertainment pack.
Foxtel Arts and Foxtel Smooth will share a broadcast signal but will run on separate channels during different times of day. Smooth programming will run throughout the day from midnight until 6pm, and Foxtel Arts content will run from 6pm to midnight, daily.
Foxtel Smooth runs under the brand license of Nova’s Smooth FM and will continue to deliver contemporary music, while Foxtel Arts will showcase the best performing arts work locally and globally, a statement from the subscription television service said.
What remains of Foxtel Arts will be available to all Foxtel customers, regardless of their subscription package.
Mumbrella understands some redundancies have occurred as a result of the changes.
The cut to Foxtel Arts is the latest of a series of changes to the subscription service’s high culture offering.
In 2009, Foxtel dumped the Ovation channel and replaced it with arts service Studio, which was produced by SBS.
In 2014, Studio was in turn replaced by Foxtel’s own Arts channel.
The changes are part of Foxtel’s plans to streamline its service.
Foxtel recently underwent a rebrand
Brian Walsh, Foxtel’s executive director of television, said the decision was reached because it made “a lot of sense both in financial terms and audience optimisation”.
“Foxtel Smooth’s peak audiences are in daytime, whilst for Arts, audiences tune in during the evening, so this is really about combining the best of both worlds for our customers. Yes this is consolidation, however, as our television and video world continues to evolve, it is imperative we review every aspect of the business,” Walsh said.
“Foxtel is in the business of curating and acquiring the best content across multi genres and creating strong super channels which serve a wide variety of tastes. The new Smooth / Arts combo and the streamlining of Lifestyle You are examples of that.”
Very disappointed in the dropping of Lifestyle You. Looked on Arena and Lifestyle, but don’t see many of the “You” programmes. Isn’t it about time we got some more pay TV services to compete with Foxtel who seem to be giving us less for a lot for more money – and where can we complain to Foxtel?
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I liked Lifestyle You. I would rather they had gotten rid of the Lifestyle food channel instead. And the arts channel had some good shows on it also. Yes Foxtel are giving less channels. I pay over $100 a month,and some of the shows are rubbish. They are very good at repeating shows on different channels a few months after they finished on the previous one. They take us for fools and don’t think people notice. And some of the ad breaks last for over 5 mins! Longer than free to air channels. Definitely not getting our money’s worth!
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I’ve just renewed my contract and now find my favourite Chanel has been axed.
I can’t find half the shows I watched. A few are on tlc but for the better part I can’t find them.m. Shame on you
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Sick and tired of Foxtel dumping programmes, first Ovation and Studio, now chopping Arts. What I am seeing is masses of repeats with the same shows been shown over and over again, all with the added bonus of massive advertising on a lot of the programmes. This used to free to air when paying a subscription, what the hell is happening here!!!
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I am absolutely disgusted at the change from ART to Smooth ARTS on the channel line up. It is a station I watch constantly for its classical content, this has been replaced with endless round of ‘pop’ music that is available on 3 other stations. How can you cut a channel that features content that forms part of our cultural traditions and leave the abominable garbage that passes for entertainment on most of the other channells…shame on you! I shall be looking very carefully at my subscription.
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I am disgusted too. I watched Sky Arts constantly in the daytime: Landscape Artist of the Year , Classical Destinations etc. I can’t watch them at night as the kids take over the TV. I have gone back to watching DVDs- tv offerings suck now…so depressing.
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For me, Foxtel Arts channel, with its excellent dance performances, Globe theatre productions, classical concerts, and some more contemporary song programs , was my main reason for subscribing to Foxtel at all. That and World movies. And my wife really enjoyed Lifestyle You.
Being retired , to now contemplate waiting for programs I enjoy till 6 pm,with the alternative of listening to Smooth (!!??) music is totally unaccceptable; the final, dismal, weak caving in to bland and unimaginative program planning. And without consultation with viewers wishes.
And to be searching through arena and other non closed caption channels for some of the lifestyle you programs is no interest.
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Absolutely disgusted at Foxtel for dumping my favourite station. Loved TLC and You and now it has gone. Just about time to get rid of Foxtel. Too expensive for what you get.
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Foxtel’ s business model is dead in the water – I get better choice from Stan and Netflix and the customer service of Foxtel is woeful….I started with Galaxy back in 1994 ! So I’m a diehard who has stuck it out but not much longer when I get so much better choice elsewhere
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Not Happy! Why have they axed Lifestyle You? It had some great shows – can’t find them on other channels. Also the ‘new’ Smooth/ARTS channel is a joke. Horrible music (I can play my own choice anytime I want) and Andre Rieu over and over and over! TLC or Style would not be missed. No consultation. Complete disregard for customers. Getting less for more as usual.
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I am a long time subscriber to Foxtel and I must register my protest to the recent changes to the arts channel,to restrict the programs to a 6 hour window makes it difficult to add shows to the planner without clashing with others that are only on in prime time.The market is becoming more competitive and if you reduce our options the end result will be more viewers changing to Netflix or similar services,your aim should be to improve our viewing experience, not make it more frustrating..Right?
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I work at home and I tuned to Fox Arts channel all day while working in my office. Now it only screens when I finish work for the day. So pissed off. Mick M. Long time subscriber and supporter of Foxtel but my enthusiasm is being tested.
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I agree with retired lady. Bad move Foxtel. Give us back our daily Arts channel or my next call will be to cancel my subscription.
Mick M.
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I totally agree with Felix. Bring back the daytime Arts show or I will unsubscribe my 3 boxes and migrate to Netflix.
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Kim is correct. Foxtel is happy to take my direct debit each month but then they change what I’m paying for without asking me. After 20 odd years with Austar and then Foxtel I will be cancelling my subscription if the Arts channel is not fully restored. Mick Marrs.
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With its mix of superb classical music, dance, theatre and art, the Arts Channel was my main reason for subscribing to Foxtel. With these now replaced during daytime viewing hours by bland, boring musical snippets, I shall be looking elsewhere for TV entertainment.
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I am also not happy with Foxtel. The abismal service that now is the Arts channel and the loss of TCM.
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Re comments on the restricting/dumbing down of Foxtel Arts, I totally agree. Shame on you Foxtel.
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I am outraged to see Foxtel’s sole response to competition from Netflix, Stan etc is to cut Foxtel Arts to the bone and replace it with cheap musical “fluff”, “dumb down” the History Channel, do away with TCM, add interminable ad breaks (which we are paying for) to more and more channels. Such tactics show a general disregard for subscribers. Shame on you Foxtel for treating customers with such disregard. Let’s be frank – it’s plainly about saving a buck!
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I changed to Foxtel when Selectv folded. The main reason for choosing Foxtel was that it provided the Arts channel (plus news, documentaries and lifestyle channels). If you insist on downgrading to providing cheap, low quality pap (suitable for those with IQ,s below 100), I will be transferring to other (probably cheaper) providors. Your frequent downgrading of what you provide to loyal customers is becoming unbearable. Not happy Jan!
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