Paramount confirms MTV Australia will no longer feature acts from Down Under in big blow for local music
Paramount has confirmed that MTV Australia has switched its content to a global feed, meaning international acts will now dominate its content.
This is a blow to established and emerging local artists as it means less exposure in an already crowded music scene.
The change also marks the end of MTV Upload, which launched in 2016 as a way to get new unsigned acts from Down Under on the air.
An MTV spokesperson said Australian artists would continue to be featured on country music channel CMT.
Meanwhile, The Music reported on Friday that Paramount has not confirmed whether it plans to add more Australian music to its existing channels.
Paramount has confirmed that MTV Australia has switched its content to a global feed, meaning international acts will now dominate its content. Pictured: Kylie Minogue
This is a blow to established and emerging local artists as it means less exposure in an already crowded music scene. Pictured: Local pop star Troye Sivan
MTV channels, meanwhile, featured on Foxtel include MTV Club, MTV 80s, CMT, MTV 90s, MTV 2000s and MTV Hits.
Pluto TV and 10Play already have MTV channels, which Foxtel customers can access through their subscriptions.
Speaking to industry blog The Music song ‘plugger’ Frank Varrasso said international channels like US-based Paramount ‘prioritise’ established OS acts over new Australian ones.
“This can challenge new artists to break through globally, which is what worries me the most,” he said.
“As we all know, the music industry plays a significant role in the Australian economy. Reduced exposure can affect revenue streams including album sales, merchandise, concert ticket sales, etc.’
The change also marks the end of MTV Upload, which launched in 2016 as a way to get new unsigned acts from Down Under on the air.
Launched in Australia on the Nine network in 1987, local MTV helped strengthen and expand the audience of iconic Australian acts such as Midnight Oil, INKSS and Kylie Minogue.
It comes after Foxtel announced in July that they would be removing MTV from their service, effective August 1.
This means viewers will miss out on MTV’s reality hits including Teen Mom, Geordie Shore and The Hills New Beginning.
MTV was one of Foxtel’s most popular channels, with celebrities Richard Wilkins, Kyle Sandilands and former Miss Australia Erin McNaught appearing as presenters.
An MTV spokesperson said Australian artists would continue to be featured on country music channel CMT. The Music reported on Friday that Paramount has not confirmed whether it plans to add more Australian music to its existing channels. Pictured: Australian music legends Midnight Oil in 1988 – MTV fan favorites for decades
Foxtel’s announcement comes after the media giant also removed its children’s programming, Nickelodeon and Nick Jr.
Changing viewing habits, with more and more fans embracing streaming services, has forced Foxtel to make recent content changes to its channels.
It comes after plans to move MTV content to Channel 10 first emerged in 2019.
Channel Ten and MTV Australia have worked closely together in the past, with the latter previously selling the rights to popular shows like Laguna Beach and Pimp My Ride to the free-to-air network.
Launched in Australia on the Nine network in 1987, local MTV helped strengthen and expand the audience of iconic Australian acts such as Kylie Minogue and INKSS (pictured)