Foxtel deal with ViacomCBS adds music channels to the mix

From July 1, Foxtel's new music line-up will cover all styles from rock and pop, to easy listening and the classics.

From July 1, Foxtel's new music line-up will cover all styles from rock and pop, to contemporary and country, charts and dance, urban R&B, easy listening and the classics. Picture: Getty Images

Pay-television and streaming group Foxtel will add a string of new music channels, including one for children, to its content slate after striking a new deal with US media giant ViacomCBS.

From July 1, Foxtel's new music line-up will cover all styles from rock and pop, to contemporary and country, charts and dance, urban R&B, easy listening and the classics.

The new agreement with Network Ten's owner ViacomCBS also includes a renewal of channels, including Nickelodeon, Nick Jr. and MTV on Foxtel's platform.

“We are delighted to forge this new partnership with ViacomCBS which reaffirms Foxtel’s commitment to music television designed for Australian audiences," Foxtel chief commercial officer Amanda Laing said in a statement on Monday.

Pay-television and streaming group Foxtel will add a string of new music channels, including one for children, to its content slate after striking a new deal with US media giant ViacomCBS.

“The agreement continues the refresh of Foxtel’s channel line-up and provides our customers with an even greater choice of music genres."

The deal comes during a testing time for the media industry, as the coronavirus crisis wipes out already under pressure advertising revenue. Foxtel, like other media players, has laid-off staff and cut costs, as part of wider efforts to ride out the downturn.

Foxtel is also looking to launch its new entertainment streaming service, widely expected to be called Binge, in a couple of weeks as its sports streaming service Kayo loses subscribers following the suspension of major sport events, including the NRL and AFL because of COVID-19.

Foxtel said the music channel collection will by spearheaded by MTV HITS, together with MTV Classic, Club MTV, CMT and Nick Music, a new "kid-safe and family-friendly music video channel for 4-15 year olds".

The expanded portfolio will be owned and operated by VCNI with the MTV and CMT-branded channels all programmed in Australia for local audiences.

Foxtel already operates a raft of commercial-free audio music channels on its platform.

Foxtel is 65 per cent owned by News Corp Australia, publisher of The Australian, with the remainder held by telecom heavyweight Telstra.