&sq=Qlik&lang=&file=File:Max_TV_Canada.png) Max logo | |
| Country | Canada |
|---|---|
| Broadcast area | National |
| Headquarters | Montreal, Quebec |
| Programming | |
| Language(s) | Canadian French |
| Picture format | 1080i (HDTV) (2010–present) 480i (SDTV) (1997–present) |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Remstar Media Group |
| Sister channels | Elle Fictions |
| History | |
| Launched | September 8, 1997 |
| Former names | MusiMax (1997-2016) |
| Links | |
| Website | maxtele |
Max is a Canadian French language specialty channel owned by Remstar Media Group, a division of Remstar. The channel primarily broadcasts entertainment programming, focusing on scripted television series and films.
Established in 1997 as MusiMax as a joint venture between CHUM Limited and Radiomutuel, it was originally conceived as a sister network to MusiquePlus, and focused primarily on adult contemporary music (making it the French-language equivalent to MuchMusic's then-sister network MuchMoreMusic). After the acquisition of CHUM by CTVglobemedia, Radiomutuel's successor Astral Media acquired CHUM's stake in MusiMax, marking its separation from common ownership with its English counterpart. When Astral was acquired by CTVglobemedia's predecessor Bell Media in 2013, MusiquePlus was sold to V Media Group, parent company of Quebec's V network.
As with its English counterpart, MusiMax was formerly oriented primarily towards music programming. Due to shrinking interest in music television because of the growth of online platforms, MusiMax increasingly focused on non-music programming targeting a young adult audience, such as scripted programming and films. In 2016, Remstar relaunched MusiMax as Max into its current format while M3 (the former MuchMoreMusic) was replaced into the Canadian version of Gusto, which was renamed into CTV Life Channel in 2019.
As a former Category A service, Max was required to be carried on the basic service of all digital television providers serving the province of Quebec. The channel was, and still is, typically offered optionally at the discretion of providers outside of the province.