Paramount branded music channels set to depart FOXTEL this month

Foxtel subscribers are set to lose another batch of familiar channels, with a notice to customers confirming that five Paramount-operated music channels will exit the platform from 30 June 2025.

The affected channels include the popular MTV Hits (Ch. 801), Nick Music (Ch. 802), MTV Club (Ch. 803), MTV 80s (Ch. 804), and CMT (Ch. 805).

This signals the end of a run that began in July 2020, when Foxtel launched the current lineup of MTV music channels with a mix of locally programmed playlists and curated international content. That local focus was short-lived, with the channels soon shifting to a standardised global feed.

The move marks another significant shift in Australia’s TV landscape, as more legacy cable channels disappear from traditional subscription platforms. According to the notice sent to Foxtel customers, “New Music Video channels are coming to Foxtel in July. More details to follow.”

This shift may be partially offset by Foxtel’s rollout of Vevo music video channels late last year. Already available on services like Samsung TV Plus, Vevo’s free-to-air streaming channels cater to a range of genres and could point to a pivot away from traditional subscription music offerings.

These changes come on the heels of other legacy channel departures in recent months, including Warner Bros. Discovery’s kids brands departing Foxtel and the closure of Comedy Central on Fetch TV, as content strategies consolidate under direct-to-consumer or FAST models.

Notably, the same music-themed channels—or similar variants such as MTV 00s, MTV 90s, and MTV Hits—are still available on Fetch TV. While their long-term presence on the platform remains unconfirmed, a Fetch spokesperson told TV Blackbox:

“At this stage, we haven’t been advised of any changes to the Paramount-supplied music channels on Fetch.”

“If anything is planned, we’ll be sure to give customers a heads-up through the usual channels.”

This round of exits also follows the quiet removal of MTV-branded music channels from 10 Play, where a raft of FAST (free ad-supported streaming television) channels had been supported by Paramount’s Pluto TV.

These moves coincide with the Foxtel Group’s recent price increases, despite a noticeable reduction in content offerings, and may be linked to strategic cost-cutting following its acquisition by global sports streaming giant DAZN.

As Paramount continues to reposition its brands—seemingly stepping away from the Australian market in some key areas—questions remain around the future of its remaining linear offerings and what it means for traditional broadcast models.

At the time of publication, Paramount Australia have not responded to enquiries from TV Blackbox.

*This article updates