Foxtel closes Channel V, MAX and CMC to make way for ViacomCBS partnership
Foxtel has closed its three music channels, Channel V, MAX and CMC, in favour of an extended partnership with ViacomCBS.
The parent company of MTV and Nickelodeon will provide Foxtel will a “broader range of music genres”, it said, including a kid-friendly music channel.
Channel V closes after 25 years in Australia with 70 jobs expected to be cut. The Bachelor host Osher Günsberg added his voice to the collection of unhappy media personalities, having started his career on the channel.
Saddest part of this – apart from the loss of good quality programming and live music on TV – is the loss of promotion of our local music scene. So I am interested to see what this actually means… “ViacomCBS Networks International’s portfolio of music channels allows us to build even deeper relationships with Australian music fans, artists and labels”.
What’s even more disappointing is I am a Foxtel subscriber and there was no notification given of any changes, let alone any chance to voice an opinion of what was going to happen.
I think the “70 jobs expected to be cut” refers to all the recent redundancies at Foxtel. There sure as heck weren’t 70 people working the music channels at North Ryde.
Correct.
That team has been consistently downsized over the years. There’ll be people going, but nowhere near that number (which refers to other recent losses elsewhere).
Well this probably means the end of Foxtel for me. removing CMC is a “kick in the guts” for me and all country music fans in Australia. I will definitely look for other avenues for my entertainment.
I agree Murray. CMT will only be showing American artists and a splattering of more well known international artists.
Wow, what a sad day for Gen X and baby boomer viewers of Foxtel. This statement could quite easily be interpreted as evidence that those citizens and Foxtel viewers are no longer considered socially or commercially relevant to Foxtel management. Many of us from these two generations grew up being entertained by Max Music. Listening to/watching Max Music was also an opportunity to relive our youth from the vast catalogue of retro music.
Question for Foxtel: Would you like viewers of these two generations to unsubscribe from Foxtel? If so, just come out and say it!
Agree with your sentiments.
I am at the upper end of Gen Y, where grew up on Channel V and migrated to Max. This exposed me to many artists that otherwise wouldn’t have and entertained for best part of twenty years.
Seems a disappointment no other options could be considered. Move to more clips, less productions, negotiate with record companies.
The replacements are poor. Picture quality no good and minimal local content