After announcing that MTV’s suite of channels would be exiting Foxtel at the end of June, it was clear that the writing was on the wall for Australia’s last locally-programmed music TV channel, CMT.
Sources confirmed to Countrytown today that CMT has indeed been given its last rites, with Fetch TV also axing the channel, confirming its final broadcast on July 31 after wrapping on Foxtel and Binge on June 30. The final date gives six weeks on air for fans of CMT to get their fix. It is understood that local programming will continue right up to the final broadcast day.
Programmer Saniel Marriner (affectionately known as San Man) has been reportedly advised of his redundancy, ending four years in the chair supporting Australian artists and the country music industry more broadly. Marriner took up the cause for country music on TV after the axing of CMC in 2020 as Foxtel’s internal channels including Channel V and Max were shuttered.
Countrytown started a petition to save CMC upon the recent Foxtel announcement with over 800 signatures at the time of writing demanding a stay of execution for the popular station. The channel, which was owned by Network Ten owner Paramount, could have been saved by a switch to subscription platform Paramount Plus, but with news of the music channels’ final worker being shown the door, there is just six weeks for an unlikely reversal to be considered.
Foxtel made a deal with ViacomCBS in 2020 and introduced CMT Australia, its MTV music channels, and the kid-friendly Nick Music.
CMT has been the only locally programmed music video channel on Foxtel since its introduction in 2020. It’s owned and operated by Paramount Networks UK & Australia and marks the third (and final) country music video channel operating in Australia, following the closure of MusicCountry and CMC.
Since July 2020, CMT has run as a localised version of US Country Music Television. It airs country music videos 24/7 from Australia and abroad, featuring artists such as Morgan Evans, Brad Cox, Amber Lawrence, Lee Kernaghan, and many other Australian acts, as well as Morgan Wallen, Chris Stapleton, Kip Moore, and Carrie Underwood.
To lend your voice, the petition to save CMT is still gathering signatures here.
Countrytown brings you Australia’s best country music news, interviews, charts and more every week! This post was authored by Countrytown and originally published on the Countrytown website. It has been re-published with permission.
