MTV Hits (Australian and New Zealand TV channel)

Last updated

MTV Hits
Final logo from 2021 to 2023.
Country Australia
New Zealand
Broadcast area Australia
New Zealand
Network MTV
Programming
Language(s)English
Picture format 1080i (HDTV)
576i (SDTV 16:9)
Timeshift serviceMTV Hits +2
Ownership
Owner Paramount Networks UK & Australia
ZIPPLAY Media Rights Ltd.
Sister channels MTV
Club MTV
MTV 80s
CMT
MTV Live
History
LaunchedOriginal
1 April 2007;17 years ago (1 April 2007)(Australia)
1 December 2011;13 years ago (1 December 2011)(New Zealand)
Relaunch
1 July 2020;4 years ago (1 July 2020)
Replaced MTV Music (Relaunch)
ClosedOriginal
1 January 2014;11 years ago (2014-01-01)(Australia)
1 December 2015;9 years ago (2015-12-01)(New Zealand)
Relaunch
1 August 2023;18 months ago (2023-08-01)(Australia)
September 2023;1 year ago (2023-09)(New Zealand)
Replaced by MTV Music (original)
MTV Hits Europe
Former names TMF (prior to 1 November 2010)
Availability
Streaming media
Foxtel Go
Screenplay TV		Channel 801
Channel 608
Fetch Mobi Channel 237

MTV Hits was an Australian and New Zealand subscription music channel focused on hit music. The channel first launched in Australia in April 2007 (as The Music Factory), and later launched in New Zealand on 1 December 2011.

Contents

The channel closed on 1 December 2015 to be replaced in all markets by MTV Music, but was revived 5 years later on 1 July 2020 as a rebrand of MTV Music.

History

MTV Hits Australia & Hits first launched as TMF Australia in April 2007 on the Optus Television pay TV service [1] and allowed viewers to interact with the channel via the web and mobile (3G Network) commencing on 22 June 2007. Unlike sister channel MTV, the channel only played music related programming. The channel was said to be picked up by cable TV providers Foxtel and Austar as a standalone channel soon, but was available via the interactive My MTV Service. [2] [3] [4]

Relaunch as MTV Hits

TMF was relaunched as MTV Hits on 1 November 2010. [4] The channel later launched in New Zealand on Sky Television on 1 December 2011. [5]

On 1 July 2011, MTV International channels launched new logos. [6]

Cessation of service in Australia

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. [7] The channel to replace MTV Hits is MTV Music , the number one UK music channel, which will feature Pop, Rock, urban and alternative music. [7] Although MTV Classic and MTV Hits will no longer be available on Foxtel, they will continue to be offered by Australian IPTV service Fetch TV and New Zealand pay TV provider Sky Television. [7] [8] The changes took place on 3 December 2013. [9]

On 16 December 2013, FetchTV announced via their Facebook page that as of 1 January 2014, MTV Music would replace MTV Hits on their service, as was done by Foxtel the month earlier. [10] This meant that MTV Hits would become exclusively available in New Zealand.

Closure of channel in New Zealand

On 1 December 2015, Sky Television replaced MTV Hits (and sister channel MTV Classic) with a localized version of MTV Music. [11] [12] Ultimately, this resulted in the closure of the channel, as Sky was the last remaining provider of MTV Hits.

Revival

On 1 July 2020, the channel returned to Foxtel channel 801, taking the slot of Channel [V] and replacing MTV Music, alongside Fetch TV and Sky (New Zealand). [13]

On 1 August 2023, MTV Hits was replaced by the European version in Australia, sharing the same schedule but 9 hours ahead. [14] [15] New Zealand retained the local version until early September. [16] [17]

Programming

Current shows (2020–2023)

Previous programmes

TMF shows

Logos

References

  1. ↑ Koremans, Sonja (25 May 2007). "MTV launches interactive multi-platform music channel". B & T Weekly . 57 (2612): 5. Archived from the original on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 1 November 2010.
  2. ↑ "Viewer Vision for MTV Music Factory". The Music Network. 6 June 2007.
  3. ↑ "MTV to launch new channel in Australia". TheWest.com.au. 24 May 2007. Archived from the original on 30 September 2007.
  4. 1 2 "Optus TV Channels". Archived from the original on 26 June 2010. Retrieved 29 October 2010.
  5. ↑ "MTV Hits Archives". Throng. 25 July 2011. Retrieved 3 January 2014.
  6. ↑ "The Branding Source: New logos: MTV international". The Branding Source. 21 June 2011. Archived from the original on 26 August 2011. Retrieved 1 July 2011.
  7. 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.
  8. ↑ "MTV Dance and MTV Music to hit Foxtel this December!". MTV Australia. 29 October 2013. Archived from the original on 24 December 2013. Retrieved 1 November 2013.
  9. ↑ Knox, David (1 November 2013). "Foxtel refreshes music channels". TV Tonight. Retrieved 1 November 2013.
  10. ↑ FetchTV (16 December 2013). "Fetch TV". Facebook. Retrieved 3 January 2014.
  11. ↑ Sky TV (4 November 2015). "New channel alert! MTV NZ is mixing it up with the world's greatest music from the 90s to today – MTV Music launches 1 December on channel 022". Facebook . Retrieved 22 November 2015.
  12. ↑ "MTV Music". Sky TV. Archived from the original on 30 January 2016. Retrieved 22 November 2015.
  13. ↑ "Foxtel overhauls music channels | TV Tonight". 4 May 2020.
  14. ↑ "MTV's Australian Closure Another Blow For Australian Music". The Music. 13 October 2023. Retrieved 13 October 2023.
  15. ↑ "TV Schedule | Channel Finder | Shows, Episodes | MTV Australia".
  16. ↑ "MTV Hits | TV Guide". sky.co.nz. 8 August 2023. Archived from the original on 8 August 2023. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
  17. ↑ "MTV Hits | TV Guide". sky.co.nz. 29 September 2023. Archived from the original on 29 September 2023. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
  18. ↑ "Optus asks, "Are you ready for Participation TV Australia?"". optus.com.au. 21 January 2008.
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