MTV Classic (Australian and New Zealand TV channel)

Last updated

MTV Classic
MTV Classic Australia (2018 - present).png
Launched14 March 2004 (2004-03-14) (Australia)
1 June 2011 (2011-06-01) (New Zealand)
Owned by ViacomCBS Networks UK & Australia
Picture format 576i (SDTV 16:9)
SloganAs Good as Ever
Country Australia
LanguageEnglish
Broadcast areaAustralia, New Zealand
Formerly calledVH1 (2004-2010) [1]
Replaced MAX (Foxtel only)
Sister channel(s) MTV
Club MTV
MTV Hits
Website mtv.com.au/mtv-classic
Availability
Satellite
Foxtel [2] Channel 804
Austar Channel 804
Sky Television Channel 123
Cable
Foxtel Channel 804
Optus TV Channel 804
Austar Channel 804
IPTV
FetchTV Channel 140

MTV Classic (formerly VH1 Australia) [3] is an Australian and New Zealand subscription television music channel. The channel focused on music from the 1980s to 2000s. [4] The channel first launched in Australia on 14 March 2004 (as VH1) and in New Zealand on 1 June 2011. On 1 July 2011 MTV International channels launched new logos [5]

Contents

On 1 April 2016 the channel closed, but was ultimately revived on 27 February 2017 on the Fetch TV platform. It was later revived on Sky in December that year, and was relaunched on 1 July 2020 on Foxtel, replacing MAX.

History

As VH1

The channel first aired on Sunday 14 March 2004 when Foxtel launched its digital product and then on Austar and Optus shortly after. [6] In April 2006, Australian pay TV newcomer, SelecTV also began to carry VH1. In 2008 it began carriage on TransACT and Neighbourhood Cable. The channel although Australian run, mainly showed programming for the US and the UK with programs such as The Fabulous Life of... and the celebrity based documentary Driven . The VH1 Website officially launched on 3 August 2006. The website somewhat followed the format of the MTV Australia website. It contained a news section, competitions, features, info on new acts and more. It also has details on shows like Can't Get a Date. The website also provided an e-newsletter. The website was closed down in April 2007 for maintenance and was offline until November. In mid August 2009 the site was expanded from a single page to a mini-site on the MTV website.

On 25 November 2006 VH1 presented Australia's Favourite Lyric which presented a long list of songs on the VH1 website for viewers and industry members to vote. When the votes closed the list was made into a top 100 countdown and INXS took out the top spot with their song Never Tear Us Apart. [7] [8]

Unlike sister channel MTV, the channel still aired a majority of music programming, with VH1 produced entertainment programming shown on MTV or other channels. [9]

Relaunch as MTV Classic

On 10 February 2010, the channel was announced via the MTV Australia website. [10] MTV Networks in Australia confirmed that VH1 receives fewer viewers each week than its sister channel MTV Australia. Part of the channel's launch included a music event which took the place of the annual MTV Australia Awards which was held in Melbourne at the Palace Theatre. [1] [10] [11] The event consisted of a line-up of local and international artists including former Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash. [12] "Video Killed the Radio Star" by The Buggles was the first music video to be played on the channel.

The channel was made available on Australian IPTV service Fetch TV from launch in June 2010. [13]

On 23 November 2010, MTV Classic began broadcasting in widescreen.

The channel launched in New Zealand on 1 June 2011 on Sky Television. [14]

Cessation of Service on Foxtel

On 29 October 2013, MTV announced they had been working with Foxtel since early 2013 to offer more diversity on the Foxtel platform, as MTV Classic and MTV Hits fought for the same audience as Foxtel Networks channels MAX and [V] Hits respectively. [15] The channel to replace MTV Classic is MTV Dance , a channel dedicated to dance, hip hop, and RnB music from around the world - MTV's first channel to be dedicated to three different genres of music. [15] Although MTV Classic and MTV Hits will no longer be available on Foxtel, they will continue to be offered by Australian IPTV service FetchTV and New Zealand pay TV provider Sky Television. [15] [16] The changes took place on 3 December 2013. [17]

Closure of channel in New Zealand

On 1 December 2015, Sky Television replaced MTV Classic (and sister channel MTV Hits) with a localized version of MTV Music. [18]

Closure

On 28 February 2016, Fetch TV (the last carrier of MTV Classic) announced via their Facebook page that the channel would close on 1 April 2016. [19]

Revival

On 27 February 2017, MTV Classic was revived on the Fetch TV platform as a result of "popular demand". Available on channel 140, and exclusively on Fetch TV, the revived channel features rock, R&B and pop music from 1980 to 2000. [20] Sky TV New Zealand would also re-add the channel on 8 December 2017. [21]

On 1 July 2020, MTV Classic returned to Foxtel on channel 804, replacing MAX, after a 7 year absence. [22]

VJ's

When the Channel first launched (as VH1) it employed 2 on-air talent but they later began running on mainly voice overs and guest presenters, the 2 hosts were: Zoe Sheridan: the glamorous and sexy side of the project who assisted in the production to Inside Track and David Campbell: the son of Australian rock sensation Jimmy Barnes. David also had some chart success with his hit single "Hope" which sold well in Australia, the US and the UK, he also was one of the faces of Inside Track until its cancellation.

Programming

MTV Classic airs a variety of artist related programmes as well as established MTV series. The channel aims at the age demographic of 24- to 40-year-olds. [23]

Original Programming (2010 - 2013)

In addition to the above, the channel often screens music documentary and concert specials.

ARIA Hall of Fame

MTV Classic have the rights to The ARIA Hall of Fame Awards show (aired since 20 August 2006). The Hall of Fame has been an important part of the ARIA Awards since 1988. Traditionally taking place during the ARIA Awards ceremony, a diverse range of artists have been inducted into the Hall of Fame including AC/DC, Dame Joan Sutherland, Olivia Newton-John, Johnny O'Keefe, Paul Kelly, John Farnham, INXS, Slim Dusty, Jimmy Little and many more. [24]

MTV Australia Video Music Awards

In March 2005 VH1 co-broadcast the MTV Australia Video Music Awards. As well as showing facts about the nominated artists, during this time, they also had a special award called the VH1 Music First Award which was awarded to Cher.

Inside Track

Inside Track featured new music and videos internationally and locally. So far the previous hosts have chatted with Jet, Darren Hayes, PJ Harvey, Lionel Richie, Olivia Newton-John and Chris Isaak.

  • Countdown - VH1 aired full episode repeats and music clips of ABC's popular music show Countdown. The Countdown special included live performances and interviews.
  • Greatest
  • The Meldrum Tapes - A compilation of interviews from the archives of Molly Meldrum produced by the ABC, it began airing from February 2008.
  • RocKwiz
  • Top of the Pops - In August 2009 VH1 began screening a repackaged and compiled version of the long running UK music show

Programming after revival (2017 - present)

All of these programmes air without interruption. Programming line-up are almost entirely same as VH1 Classic Europe.

Logo history

See also

Related Research Articles

INXS Australian rock band

INXS were an Australian rock band, formed as The Farriss Brothers in 1977 in Sydney, New South Wales. The band's founding members were bassist Garry Gary Beers, main composer and keyboardist Andrew Farriss, drummer Jon Farriss, guitarist Tim Farriss, lead singer and main lyricist Michael Hutchence, and guitarist and saxophonist Kirk Pengilly. For 20 years, INXS was fronted by Hutchence, whose magnetic stage presence made him the focal point of the band. Initially known for their new wave/pop style, the band later developed a harder pub rock and alternative rock style that included funk and dance elements.

VH1 American cable television network

VH1 is an American pay television network based in New York City owned by ViacomCBS. It was originally created by Warner-Amex Satellite Entertainment, at the time a division of Warner Communications and the original owner of MTV, and launched on January 1, 1985, in the former space of Turner Broadcasting System's short-lived Cable Music Channel.

BBC UKTV British TV channel in Australia and New Zealand

BBC UKTV is an Australian pay television channel in Australia and New Zealand, screening British entertainment programming, sourced mainly from the archives of the BBC, RTL Group and ITV plc. The channel was originally a joint venture with Foxtel, the RTL Group and BBC Worldwide. It is now owned solely by BBC Studios. It is the home of the channel's flagship programme The Graham Norton Show.

Foxtel Australian pay television company

Foxtel Management Pty Limited is an Australian pay television company—operating in cable television, direct broadcast satellite television, and IPTV streaming services. It was formed in 1995 through a joint venture established between News Corporation and Telstra, with News Corp being the 65% and Telstra the 35% shareholders respectively.

MTV Dance (British and Irish TV channel) British and Irish television channel

MTV Dance was a British pay television channel operated by ViacomCBS Networks UK & Australia. It was launched in 20 April 2001 and closed down on 23 May 2018 when it was replaced with Club MTV, with "We Are Your Friends" by Justice vs. Simian being the final music video to be played on the channel. The channel played dance, EDM, trance, techno & house music.

MTV (Australia and New Zealand) entertainment television channel

MTV is a 24-hour general entertainment channel specialising in music and youth culture programming which serves Australia and New Zealand. It is operated by parent company ViacomCBS Networks UK & Australia headquartered in London with a local office in Sydney.

Nickelodeon is an Australian children's television channel operated by a joint venture of Foxtel Networks and ViacomCBS Networks UK & Australia. Being a version of the namesake television channel in the United States, the channel broadcasts Nickelodeon's original series, as well as shows from third-party companies.

MTV Rocks (British and Irish TV channel) 24-hour alternative music MTV network channel

MTV Rocks is a British pay television music channel operated by ViacomCBS Networks UK & Australia. Its programming consists of 24-hour non-stop rock/alternative music.

ViacomCBS Networks Europe, Middle East, Africa & Asia (EMEAA) is a subsidiary of ViacomCBS. The unit launched as MTV Networks Europe (MTVNE) in 1987 based in Amsterdam and London. The unit is now located across multiple cities with the main headquarters in Warsaw and London and additional offices in Amsterdam, Berlin and Stockholm.

Nick Jr. is a 24-hour children's channel in Australia designed for pre-schoolers. Nick Jr. was a morning programming block on Nickelodeon until 2004, when Foxtel launched it as a full 24-hour kids channel. The channel is run by Foxtel Networks, under license from ViacomCBS, and is also available on Optus Television and FetchTV.

[V] was an Australian music television channel owned and operated by Foxtel. It was available on Foxtel Digital and Optus's digital services.

MTV Hits (Australian and New Zealand TV channel) Australian television channel

MTV Hits is an Australian and New Zealand subscription music channel focused on hit music. The channel first launched in Australia in April 2007, and later launched in New Zealand on 1 December 2011.

ViacomCBS Networks International (VCNI) is the international division of ViacomCBS. The division oversees the production, broadcasting and promotion of key ViacomCBS' brands outside of the United States. These brands include MTV, VH1, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, BET, Colors and Game One, as well as CBS-branded channels.

MTV Live HD international 24-hour music channel

MTV Live HD is an international 24-hour HD music pay television network that is operated by ViacomCBS Networks International' subsidiary ViacomCBS Networks EMEAA. The channel is available in Europe, Latin America, Oceania, Middle East and North Africa and Asia.

13th Street (Australian TV channel) Australian television channel

13th Street was an Australian television channel which specialised in airing action and suspense programmes. The channel was owned by NBC Universal and was launched on 15 November 2009 as part of Foxtel's Next Generation launch. It launched on Fetch TV in 2017 as part of Fetch TV's channel pack revamp.

MTV Classic (British and Irish TV channel) television channel (Great Britain, Ireland)

MTV Classic is a British pay television music channel from ViacomCBS Networks UK & Australia. The channel was launched in the United Kingdom and Ireland on 1 July 1999 as VH1 Classic. It focuses on music videos and music specials from the 1960s onwards, sometimes featuring music videos and concert footage from as early as at least the 1940s or 1950s, such as Bing Crosby's "White Christmas" from 1942. It has also occasionally aired videos from the 2000s and early 2010s. "Video Killed the Radio Star" by The Buggles, the first video to air on the original MTV in 1981, was also the first music video to be played when the channel was rebranded as MTV Classic on 1 March 2010. Every November and December on some dates of each year, MTV Classic will play Christmas-themed music branded as MTV Xmas. Since the rebrand, Viacom has rebranded other international channels as MTV Classic. On 1 May 2010, VH1 Australia was rebranded as MTV Classic and on 10 January 2011, MTV Networks Europe launched an Italian version of the same channel, replacing MTV Gold.

MTV (British and Irish TV channel) MTV channel in the UK and Ireland

MTV is a British pay television channel focusing on reality TV and music programming operated by ViacomCBS Networks UK & Australia.

MTV Music (British and Irish TV channel) British television channel

MTV Music is a British pay television channel operated by ViacomCBS Networks UK & Australia. The brand was first launched in the UK and Ireland before launching in Australia, New Zealand, Italy, the Netherlands and Poland. Unlike other MTV Music channels, This channel offers subtitles on selected programmes.

MTV Music (Australian and New Zealand TV channel)

MTV Music was a 24-hour Australian and New Zealand subscription music channel which first launched on 3 December 2013.

Club MTV (Australian TV channel) Australian television channel

Club MTV is an Australian pay television channel that broadcasts dance and urban music. It was launched on 3 December 2013.

References

  1. 1 2 Bulbeck, Pip (12 February 2010). "VH1 becomes MTV Classic in Australia". The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved 13 February 2010.
  2. ↑ "Music channel changes". Foxtel. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
  3. ↑ "MTV rebrands VH1, dumps awards night". Mediaspy. 12 February 2010. Retrieved 13 February 2010.
  4. ↑ Brandle, Lars (12 February 2010). "MTV Australia To Replace VH1, 2010 Awards Off". Billboard.biz . Retrieved 13 February 2010.
  5. ↑ "The Branding Source: New logos: MTV international". 'The Branding Source'. Retrieved 1 July 2011.
  6. ↑ Eliezer, Christie (24 April 2004). "VH1 debuts down under: labels see marketing opportunity". Billboard . 116 (17): 49. ISSN   0006-2510.
  7. ↑ "INXS'S "NEVER TEAR US APART" AUSSIES' FAVE LYRIC". Themusic.com.au. 21 November 2006. Archived from the original on 29 August 2007.
  8. ↑ "INXS takes Oz's favourite lyric". news.com.au. 20 November 2006. Archived from the original on 6 September 2008.
  9. ↑ Murphy, Kerrie (9 August 2008). "Faded stars put their bad habits to the test". The Australian . News Limited. p. 30. Retrieved 27 February 2010.
  10. 1 2 "New! 'MTV Classic'". MTV.com.au. 10 February 2010. Retrieved 12 February 2010.
  11. ↑ Knox, David (30 March 2010). "Slash to launch MTV Classic". tvtonight.com.au. Retrieved 5 April 2010.
  12. ↑ "Slash to launch MTV Classic Down Under". Abc.net.au. 29 March 2010. Retrieved 5 April 2010.
  13. ↑ "FetchTV announces Content Offering" (Press release). Fetch TV. 25 May 2010. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
  14. ↑ "MTV Classic New Zealand to launch on Sky TV". Throng. 7 March 2011. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
  15. 1 2 3 Reid, Poppy (29 October 2013). "EXCLUSIVE: MTV AUSTRALIA TO LAUNCH TWO NEW CHANNELS - MTV MUSIC AND MTV DANCE". The Music Network. Retrieved 1 November 2013.
  16. ↑ "MTV Dance and MTV Music to hit Foxtel this December!". MTV Australia. 29 October 2013. Retrieved 1 November 2013.
  17. ↑ Knox, David (1 November 2013). "Foxtel refreshes music channels". TV Tonight. Retrieved 1 November 2013.
  18. ↑ "MTV Music". Sky TV. Retrieved 22 November 2015.
  19. ↑ Fetch TV (28 February 2016). "Get ready to laugh your face off". Facebook . Retrieved 2 March 2016.
  20. ↑ "MTV Classic returns exclusively on Fetch TV". Decided TV. 23 February 2017. Retrieved 4 March 2017.
  21. ↑ "MTV Classic returns to Sky". Decided TV. 6 December 2017. Retrieved 26 December 2017.
  22. ↑ Blackiston, Hannah (5 May 2020). "Foxtel closes Channel V, MAX and CMC to make way for ViacomCBS partnership". Mumbrella. Retrieved 6 May 2020.
  23. ↑ "MTV rebrands VH1 to attract younger audience". Mumbrella. 12 February 2010. Retrieved 13 February 2010.
  24. ↑ "ARIAs Hall of Fame". The Age. Melbourne. 30 May 2005.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.