Channel V Australia

Not to be confused with (V).

The correct title of this article is Channel [V] Australia. The omission of any brackets is due to technical restrictions.
Channel [V] Australia
CountryAustralia
Broadcast areaAustralia
Programming
Language(s)English
Picture format576i (SDTV 16:9)
Ownership
OwnerFoxtel Networks
Sister channelsCountry Music Channel
Max
V Hits
History
Launched22 April 1995 (1995-04-22)[1]
Closed25 March 2016 (original)
Replaced by[V] Hits +2 (later [V])
Former namesRed (prior to April 1997[2])
Links
Websitewww.vmusic.com.au

Channel [V] Australia was an Australian subscription television music channel that was available on Foxtel, Optus TV and Austar satellite and cable services. It was also previously available in New Zealand on TelstraSaturn's cable TV service in Wellington, Kapiti and Christchurch, until a channel shake-up occurred under new owners TelstraClear in 2002.

Channel [V] was targeted at the youth market, and played both mainstream and alternative music from local and international artists. Although it used the name Channel [V] in Australia, it had little association with the international affiliates and used the name under the license of News Corporation via STAR TV.

Previously called Red, Channel [V] commenced broadcasting in April 1995 on the now defunct Galaxy service. The name change to Channel [V] came about after owners XYZ Entertainment (now XYZnetworks) and Channel [V] International came to agreement over naming rights in March 1997.[citation needed] The first channel manager of Channel [V] was ex Network TEN Video Hits Producer Donna Andrews. After the successful launch, ex radio man Barry Chapman took over. In 2004, the launch of Foxtel Digital and other digital cable and satellite services saw a second [V] branded channel begin broadcasting called V Hits (formerly Club[V]), which is a 24-hour music channel that focuses more on music without TV shows.

Channel [V] closed on 25 March 2016, replaced with a two-hour timeshift channel of [V] Hits. Starting from 27 February 2016, [V] saw programming changes, which included the end of all programs which involved VJs and other personnel.[3] This was followed by the relaunch of [V] Hits as the main music clip channel, featuring only music videos and countdowns. The closure came as viewers increasingly sought music videos from online sources rather than on television, which had resulted in a steady decline in [V]'s viewership.[4][5][6] As a result of the closure, three staff members were made redundant, and Danny Clayton's contract with the network (which was set to expire midyear) was not renewed.[6]

However, in 2017 Foxtel refocused [V] Hits to Foxtel [V] and [V] Hits +2 became [V] +2; a time-shift channel. On 1 July 2020, [V] was replaced by NickMusic, bringing the Channel [V] brand in Australia to an end after 25 years on television.[7]

  1. ^ Browne, Rachel (22 April 1995). "Galaxy takes knife to fees". The Sun-Herald. Sydney. p. 23. Retrieved 21 December 2009. XYZ Entertainment is launching the other four Galaxy channels today. They are a documentary channel Quest, children's and cult TV channel Max, general entertainment channel Arena and music channel Red.
  2. ^ Music channel (V) to bow down under
  3. ^ Lawrence, Vanessa (23 February 2016). "RIP Channel V: Aussie Music Stalwart To Close After 20 Years Of Good Times". PEDESTRIAN.TV. Retrieved 25 February 2016.
  4. ^ Knox, David (24 February 2016). "YouTube killed the video star as music ends for Channel [V]". TV Tonight. Retrieved 24 February 2016.
  5. ^ Bond, Nick (24 February 2016). "'Vale Channel V': Foxtel's shock announcement for music channel". news.com.au. Retrieved 24 February 2016.
  6. ^ a b Knox, David (25 February 2016). "Channel [V] viewers "in steady decline"". TV Tonight. Retrieved 25 February 2016.
  7. ^ Knox, David (4 May 2020). "Foxtel overhauls music channels". TV Tonight.