Foxtel has waved goodbye to its Aussie music channels as it looks to a new partnership with ViacomCBS.
As reported on The Music Network, channels MAX, CMC and [V] will be axed as of June 30, while the future of Smooth is currently unclear.
According to TMN, all music-only employees who worked on the affected channels will leave the business.
Foxtel’s executive director of television Brian Walsh said in a statement: “We are proud of the heritage of our owned and operated music channels and the success they have enjoyed entertaining Foxtel customers for the past 25 years.
“I want to acknowledge the management and music teams, past and present, who created Channel V, Max and CMC,” he said.
Foxtel chief commercial officer Amanda Laing said: “We are delighted to forge this new partnership with ViacomCBS which reaffirms Foxtel’s commitment to music television designed for Australian audiences.
“The agreement continues the refresh of Foxtel’s channel line-up and provides our customers with an even greater choice of music genres. ViacomCBS are global leaders in music television with a long-standing commitment to Australian music and we are pleased to continue building on our relationship with them with this historic new arrangement.”
Replacing the music channels, Foxtel has revealed a new venture with ViacomCBS, including providing Foxtel subscribers a broader variety of music, all of which will be locally run.
The new slate will be owned by ViacomCBS with the MTV and CMT-branded channels. The new agreement also includes the renewal of channels Nickelodeon, Nick Jr. and MTV.
