Foxtel has unfortunately pulled the plug on their three primary homegrown music-driven channels, Channel [V], MAX and CMC. They will be shut off at the end of next month.
As reported by The Music Network, the pay-TV provider axed the three channels to make way for a new partnership with ViacomCBS, the company behind brands like MTV, Nickelodeon and the CW.
According to TMN, all music-only staff for the three channel will also leave Foxtel. This news follows the revelation that the company cut 70 more jobs last week, as reported by Mumbrella.
Foxtel’s executive director of television, Brian Walsh, gave a statement to TMN earlier today, saying:
“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.”
Ex-staff of the networks, like triple j‘s Bridget Hustwaite and ex Channel [V] VJ Billy Russell, have taken to social media to express their sorrow at the loss.
Wow. Gutted to hear @Foxtel is axing [V] (& Max, CMC). I truly miss the glory days of Room 208, whatUwant and the BDO broadcasts. Thanks for literally soundtracking my adolescence and for giving this potty mouthed 21 year old her first ever crack at music presenting, 8 years ago. pic.twitter.com/s7f8NViyMH
— Bridget Hustwaite (@BHustwaite) May 4, 2020
https://twitter.com/wiljrussell/status/1257190871230853122?s=20
The partnership with ViacomCBS will see Foxtel subscribers provided with a “broader audience of genres” with new music channels, as well as a renewal of existing ViacomCBS-owned networks like MTV and Nickelodeon. This is set to take place on July 1.
