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Smooth joins axed Foxtel music channels MAX, CMC and Channel V as pay-TV giant outsources content

The West Australian
Foxtel.
Camera IconFoxtel. Credit: Ian Waldie/Bloomberg

Foxtel has announced it will axe its Smooth music channel which featured original hosts Marcia Hines and Cameron Daddo from June 30.

The Pay-TV giant recently signed a deal with US company CBSViacom which would see production of all music programming outsourced and replaced with a new range of MTV branded music content.

This will also see Channel V, MAX and Country Music get the boot as part of the new partnership.

The easy listening channel, Smooth launched in 2013 as a 24 hour music channel and was produced in partnership with Nova Entertainment radio group.

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In 2017, Smooth was merged with Foxtel Arts and the music programming was reduced to 18 hours per day.

Foxtel Arts will now operate as a 24hour channel from July 1.

Last month a spokesperson for CBSViacom said that, "Expanding ViacomCBS Networks International’s portfolio of music channels allows us to build even deeper relationships with Australian music fans, artists and labels.

“These branded channels resonate with music fans all over the world and launching in Australia gives us even more opportunity to bring audiences great music across genres.""We’ve showcased incredible Australian artists from Gang of Youths to The Veronicas internationally.

“Launching these new music brands on Foxtel gives more Australian artists the opportunity to connect with fans locally and, potentially, around the world." Foxtel's Executive Director of Television Brian Walsh also added that "Music remains as a strategically important part of the Foxtel content story and emphasises the depth and richness of our programming.

“These new channels will all be programmed by Australians, for Australians continuing our passion for local music curation. "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.

“I want to acknowledge the management and music teams, past and present, who created Channel [V], Max and CMC."

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