Foxtel axes music channels MAX, CMC, [V] and 70 more jobs

Pay-TV provider Foxtel has axed its home-grown music channels in favour of a new partnership with ViacomCBS, TMN can reveal.

Music channels MAX, CMC and [V] will power down on June 30, marking the end of a 25-year history supporting and championing Australian music.

The future of Smooth, a joint venture with NOVA Entertainment, remains unknown.

TMN understands that all music-only employees who worked on the affected channels will also leave the business, however Foxtel decline to comment on staff changes.

Following a number of job losses over the last few months and a number of stand-downs related to COVID-19, Foxtel cut a further 70 jobs last week, according to Mumbrella.

MAX, CMC and [V] announced plans on March 30 to play all-Australian music on Mondays from April 6, in support of the Australian music community doing it tough.

In a statement sent to TMN on Monday afternoon, Foxtel’s executive director of television, Brian Walsh, said music remains an important part of the business.

“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,” said Walsh.

“I want to acknowledge the management and music teams, past and present, who created Channel V, Max and CMC,” he said.

In replace of the axed music channels, Foxtel has revealed a new partnership with ViacomCBS.

Foxtel says the new agreement will provide subscribers with a “broader variety of music genres”, including a new kid-friendly music channel, all of which will be locally programmed.

From July 1, the new-look music line-up will cover rock and pop, contemporary and country, charts and dance, urban R&B, easy listening and the all-time classics.

The music channel collection will by spearheaded by MTV Hits, together with MTV Classic, Club MTV, CMT (Country Music Television) and the brand-new Nick Music.

The expanded portfolio will be owned and operated by ViacomCBS with the MTV and CMT-branded channels all programmed in Australia, for Australian audiences.

The new agreement also includes the renewal of channels Nickelodeon, Nick Jr. and MTV.