Foxtel music channels go all-Australian in support of shattered entertainment industry

From Kylie and Jessica Mauboy to AC/DC and Hilltop Hoods, the Australian soundtrack will take over three TV music channels to support the industry.

The sound of the Great Southern land will ring out on Foxtel’s music channels every Monday as they go all-Australian in support of the artists whose livelihoods have been hard hit by the COVID-19 shutdowns.

Staff at the channels advocated the programming shift to give artists a royalty boost and encourage viewers to get behind our entertainment industry.

The [V], Max and CMC channels will kick off the initiative on April 6, delving into their archives to not only broadcast music videos but hours of interviews and live performances they have recorded over the past two decades.

Jessica Mauboy will be singing her heart out on [V]. Picture: Cole Bennetts/Getty Images.

Foxtel’s Group General Manager, Entertainment and Music, Fraser Stark said they had started some overdue housekeeping of their store of more than 35,000 digital beta tapes and unearthed some absolute gems for the all-Australian broadcasts which would run every Monday as long as the virus kept people at home.

“There’s a deep heritage of local performances at festivals and in studio and content from our VJs over the year,” he said.

“Everyone is well aware how immediately anyone involved in live music has been hit.

“I would say what we are doing is a gesture but it’s one we believe in; we want to show our solidarity for the stay at home message and our artists.”

Expect to see all your fave Hilltop Hoods hits on [V]. Picture: Cole Bennetts/Getty Images.

Stark said he would be delving into the Max playlists to reconnect with some of his favourite throwbacks including Break In The Weather by Jenny Morris and It’s Only The Beginning by Deborah Conway.

During the programming across the three channels, viewers will be encouraged to donate to music charity Support Act which is assisting everyone from artists to roadies with financial aid and a mental health hotline.

Support Act CEO Clive Miller said it is not only artists who have seen their financial future drastically affected by the halt in concerts but thousands of workers in the sector including crew, management, truck drivers and hospitality staff.

If you haven’t fallen for Ruel’s old school soul voice, you will during Foxtel’s all-Aussie broadcasts. Picture: Justin Lloyd

“Artist crew and music workers are facing a bleak and uncertain future and are also some of the most vulnerable with regards to mental wellbeing,” Miller said.

“Please help us to support our music workers through this difficult period and help them be in

a position to bounce back louder and prouder than ever once the pandemic has passed.”

Channel [V], the network’s contemporary channel will play popular music videos and exclusive live performances from Jessica Mauboy, Vanessa Amorosi, Conrad Sewell, Ruel, Thelma Plum, Thandi Phoenix and more.

Thelma Plum is another great Australian artist to discover during the pandemic shutdown. Picture: Supplied.

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The channel Takeo[V]ers by 5 Seconds of Summer, Hilltop Hoods, Illy, PNAU and Dean Lewis will also be repeated.

There will also be highlights from the historic Fire Fight Australia concert until mid May.

Over at the Max channel, playlists featuring some of our biggest and most loved artists including John Farnham, Kylie Minogue, AC/DC, Powderfinger, INXS, Divinyls and Hunters and Collectors will run all day.

Cold Chisel got something you want, something you need on Max. Picture: Brett Costello

The playlists will be themed across genres and eras such as guilty pleasures, pop, rock, 80s and 90s.

Country music home CMC will showcase emerging artists including The Buckleys, charlie Collins and Sammy White as well as playing hits from beloved superstars such as Lee Kernaghan, Beccy Cole, The McClymonts, Troy Cassar-Daley and Morgan Evans.

Foxtel’s all-Australian music initiative kicks off on April 6 from 9am and will run each Monday.

Originally published as Foxtel music channels go all-Australian in support of shattered entertainment industry