
Earlier this month Foxtel confirmed it would ditch MTV music channels, but it looks like a bunch of iconic staples are coming back to replace them. Reportedly MAX, Channel [V] and the Country Music Channel (CMC) are set to make a comeback when MTV departs on June 30.
It was around five years ago when Foxtel initially ditched these channels after signing a deal with Viacom CBS. Prior to Foxtel's MTV era, Channel [V], MAX, and CMC were locally run, and known for supporting local flavour with initiatives like all-Australian music Mondays. These were folded with the channels back in 2020, but them coming back could be a good sign for the Australian music community.
Actually, there could be even more of a local focus coming, with eagle-eyed observers on MediaSpy noting some new test channel names on Foxtel satellite services. Test channel names include Club, Retro, Trending, Kids, CMC, and Australian Played. The latter, which extends out to 'Australian Played, Australian Paid' is an initiative by Australian commercial music subscription service, Nightlife Music.
The initiative aims to make it easier to find and listen to local music, and make sure musicians are getting a cut per play. It is part of the larger Nightlife Music commercial structure which includes a B2B music streaming platform, and the consumer-facing crowdDJ jukebox app you may know from your local Anytime Fitness. If these two are in fact connected, it looks like Foxtel could be shifting focus back onto the local music scene.
Foxtel wouldn't confirm these changes, but a spokesperson told WhistleOut something new is in the works.
"We are cooking up something fresh and new with music on Foxtel, remixing the way you connect with genres you love," said the spokesperson. "Stay tuned. We can’t wait to drop more in the coming weeks."
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Anula Wiwatowska
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