ViacomCBS adds Foxtel’s new music channels to sales portfolio

ViacomCBS Australia and New Zealand today announced its sales representation of Foxtel’s new music channels, including MTV Hits, Club MTV, MTV Classic and CMT.

As reported by TMN last month, the new local channels go live on Foxtel from 1 July after the axing of Foxtel-owned brands MAX, CMC and [V] from June 30.

ViacomCBS says the new offering will celebrate the music that audiences love, with locally curated music blocks for rock and pop, country, dance, R&B, easy listening and all-time classics.

Network 10 and ViacomCBS chief sales officer, Rod Prosser, said the change is “exciting”.

“The addition of the new channels to our premium lineup of brands further strengthens our under 50s proposition, while also expanding our offering into the music genre,” Prosser said.

“Our brand offering is unrivalled in market with a sharp focus on the demographics who are young at heart and highly-engaged,” Prosser said, adding that opportunities are now endless.

MTV Hits, Club MTV, MTV Classic and CMT join 10, 10 Peach, 10 Bold, 10 Play, MTV, Nickelodeon, Nick Jr., Nick Music and Comedy Central in ViacomCBS’ local playground of brands.

The addition of the channels to the ViacomCBS commercial portfolio follows a partnership between ViacomCBS Networks International and Foxtel.

In a statement sent to TMN on May 4, 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.

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

The pay-TV provider confirmed that the easy listening music channel Smooth would also cease broadcasting on June 30.

Smooth TV was a joint venture with NOVA Entertainment, from which the pair shared in revenue since it first began airing in December ’13, fronted by Marcia Hines and Cameron Daddo.