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MTV (Australia and New Zealand)

From Alfawiki
Adapted from the English Wikipedia article MTV (Australia and New Zealand), available under CC BY-SA 4.0Updated 11 August 2025
MTV Australia and New Zealand
Company typeSubsidiary
IndustryEntertainment, Music television
PredecessorARC Music Television
Founded14 June 1996 (as ARC Music Television)
FateReplaced by MTV Global in August 2023
Headquarters
London (main office), Sydney (regional office)
,
United Kingdom, Australia
Area served
Australia, New Zealand
OwnerParamount Networks UK & Australia
ParentParamount Global

MTV operated as a round-the-clock entertainment network centered on music and youth culture, catering to audiences in Australia and New Zealand. It was owned by Paramount Networks UK & Australia, with its main office located in London and a regional branch based at Network 10's Sydney headquarters, overseeing marketing and advertising activities across both nations. The channel discontinued broadcasting in August 2023, succeeded by MTV Global.

MTV on the Nine Network

In April 1987, the "MTV" brand made its debut in Australia as a late-night music show broadcast on the free-to-air Nine Network. The program was presented by Richard Wilkins and Joy Smithers, with music updates delivered by Alison Drower, running for a total of six years. It competed against programs such as Rage on ABC TV and Video Hits on Network Ten.

Programming on MTV Australia primarily showcased artists from Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States, featuring music videos, interviews, and various segments, heavily dependent on imported content from the US. Early broadcasts also included the American MTV game show Remote Control. The series concluded in 1993 after Nine chose not to renew its contract with Viacom, citing the high expenses associated with production and licensing. Saul Shtein played a key role in launching MTV in Australia alongside Richard Wilkins.

ARC Music Television

Launched on 14 June 1996, "ARC Music Television" was owned by Austereo through a partnership with Austereo and Village Roadshow, distributed via Optus Television. This channel provided continuous pop music programming with original content. After one year of operation, MTV Networks US approached ARC, resulting in its transformation into MTV Australia through a new agreement involving Austereo, Village Roadshow Entertainment, and Optus Vision.

Re-launch and expansion

Following ARC's rebranding announcement, MTV Australia officially resumed broadcasting on Optus Television on 20 March 1997. While initially producing local shows, budget reductions soon shifted the focus predominantly to American programming.

MTV expanded its reach in December 2002 by joining the Foxtel platform and later extended availability to Austar in 2004. That year marked the establishment of MTV Networks Australia, which began creating original content including an Australian adaptation of TRL, launched on 10 September 2004 with host Kyle Sandilands. Additionally, MTV Networks Australia introduced sister channel VH1 on 14 March 2004 during Foxtel’s rollout of digital services.

In 2005, MTV premiered original productions such as MTV Full Tank and hosted the first-ever MTV Australia Video Music Awards at Luna Park Sydney with hosts from The Osbournes. By April 2006, the channel was also available on SelecTV. Late that year saw the debut of MTV's The Lair, a weekly live music program filmed at The Metro Theatre starting January 2007. Around this time, ownership transitioned from Optus to MTV Networks, which relocated its headquarters from Ryde to East Sydney in early 2007.

In April 2007, MTV Networks Australia launched TMF Australia on Optus Cable. In February 2010, VH1 Australia was replaced by MTV Classic, which began airing on 1 May 2010. A company representative confirmed plans for a third channel launch later that year.

On 20 September 2010, MTV announced intentions to introduce three new Australian channels: MTV Hits, MTVN Live, and MTVN Live HD, all scheduled to debut on 1 November 2010. MTV Hits provides nonstop music programming, while MTVN Live features international concerts and documentaries. To increase locally produced content, MTV premiered its first reality series titled Freshwater Blue, chronicling the lives of twelve teenagers residing in Freshwater, a suburb located in Sydney’s Northern Beaches region.

2010–2025

In June 2010, MTV became accessible through the newly launched FetchTV platform. During the same year, the Australian and New Zealand MTV channels were consolidated into a single feed broadcasting from Sydney.

By the fall of 2013, Viacom International Media Networks shifted the operational management of MTV (Australia and New Zealand) and Comedy Central (New Zealand) to London, while advertising responsibilities remained based in Sydney.

In February 2018, MTV Australia debuted in high definition (720p) exclusively on Fetch TV, which was the sole Australian service provider offering this quality at that time; meanwhile, Sky also transmitted MTV in HD.

On 17 September 2019, it was revealed that sister network Network 10 planned to introduce a free-to-air version of MTV Australia. By May 2020, Network 10 confirmed the launch of a fourth multichannel featuring content from ViacomCBS brands including MTV and Nickelodeon. This new channel, named 10 Shake, premiered in September 2020, broadcasting Nickelodeon programming for children between 6am and 6pm, followed by MTV, Comedy Central, and CBS shows aimed at young adult audiences from 6pm onwards.

On 1 August 2023, Foxtel discontinued MTV along with Nick and Nick Jr., coinciding with the relaunch of 10 Shake as a free-to-air channel dedicated to Nickelodeon. Concurrently, MTV-branded FAST channels were launched on Paramount's BVOD platform 10Play via Pluto TV. In August 2023, MTV Australia and New Zealand were replaced by MTV Global. Paramount Global officially announced this transition in October 2023; however, it faced criticism from Australia's music industry for diminishing locally focused music content. Despite this change, MTV continues to deliver region-specific material through Australian-themed social media channels.

As of June 2025, Foxtel ceased offering all MTV-branded channels within Australia; consequently, audiences can now access MTV programming solely through Paramount Plus.

Former VJs

Programming and Schedule

The majority of the channel’s content is acquired from MTV USA, MTV Europe, and other affiliates within the Viacom/MTV Networks family. This lineup includes well-known American entertainment series such as Pimp My Ride, Life of Ryan, Laguna Beach/The Hills, and Room Raiders. The channel frequently organizes themed programming blocks and weekend marathons that present entire seasons consecutively.

Acquired Shows

Discontinued Local Productions

Distribution

Originally available exclusively through Optus Television, MTV Australia ended this exclusivity in late 2002 and became part of the Foxtel premium package in 2003, subsequently broadening its reach to include Austar. At present, MTV is accessible via all principal English-language subscription TV platforms, appearing in basic packages on Foxtel, Austar, TransTV, Neighbourhood Cable, and Fetch. On Optus Television, it remains an optional add-on channel. The network was previously carried by SelecTV until the closure of its English service in 2010.

MTV Australia Awards

Established in 2005, the MTV Australia Awards took inspiration from the American and European VMAs and were hosted at Sydney’s iconic Luna Park. This circus-themed celebration was presented by members of the Osbourne family, showcasing performances by both international stars and local talent. In 2010, MTV Networks Australia announced the introduction of MTV Classic, which replaced the annual awards ceremony with a new music-focused event.

Optus ONE80PROJECT

Collaborating with Sony Ericsson and Optus, MTV initiated the Optus ONE80PROJECT, a contest designed for emerging writers, directors, and producers to develop three-minute pilots and scripts tailored for television, mobile devices, and online platforms. Winners earned the opportunity to work alongside MTV’s production team to expand their concepts into full-length dramas for the MTV Network. The first competition ran from September 2006 through January 2007, with winners revealed in February 2007: The Viewers Choice Award was given to Ben Briand for his project Hammer Bay, while Judges Choice honors went to Karl Mather and Zenon Kohler for Takoyaki City. The following year’s contest concluded with winners announced in January 2008 during the ONE80PROJECT festival. That year, the Viewers Choice Award was earned by Kade Robinson for Generation When, with Judges Choice awarded to Sarah Daggar-Nickson and Scott Otto Anderson for Dream Life. The competition continued through 2008, with victors announced in early 2009.

"Vote for Snoop" initiative

In 2007, rapper Snoop Dogg was scheduled to co-host the MTV Australia Video Music Awards 2007 on April 29 but was refused an Australian visa by Immigration Minister Kevin Andrews due to his prior criminal record. In reaction, MTV Australia launched the "Vote for Snoop" campaign through MySpace, featuring videos that highlighted his aspiration to gain Australian citizenship.

Relationships with free-to-air broadcasters

Australian free-to-air networks have occasionally picked up programs following their success on MTV. For instance, Network Ten acquired the rights to The Osbournes, broadcasting it only after its run on MTV Australia. Additionally, Ten secured shows such as Jackass, Pimp My Ride (which later aired on 7mate), and Laguna Beach. The public broadcaster ABC obtained rights to the animated series Daria, which was shown with content edits; as of September 2016, it airs on SBS Viceland.

Since 2009, several MTV Networks productions have been broadcast on the Nine Network channel GO!, including The Hills. In late 2011, Network Ten acquired free-to-air rights for Geordie Shore, which began airing on its digital channel "Eleven" starting in 2012.

Following the 2019 merger of CBS and Viacom, Network 10 became part of the same corporate family as MTV, strengthening strategic cooperation between the two brands.

Website

The online presence of MTV Australia has undergone a varied history. Initially hosted without a dedicated domain by Village Roadshow, it received the mtv.com.au domain in 1998, offering basic content related to MTV Unplugged and the American VMAs. By 1999, the website was abandoned, and in 2000 redirected users to the US MTV site before the domain expired and was taken over by a holding company. With MTV’s expansion in 2003, the site was revived and linked to the MTV Asia Awards. A standalone MTV Australia site launched in 2004 and experienced multiple redesigns, including microsites for TRL Australia and the AVMAs.

In 2007, coinciding with the debut of free broadband video channel MTV Overdrive on April 19 and the MTV Australia Video Music Awards 2007, the website underwent a redesign. Overdrive was exclusively available within Australia. The 2009 update aligned the site’s design with that of mtv.com.

Spin-Off Channels

Currently operating channels: CMT Australia, Comedy Central Australia, MTV 80s, Club MTV, MTV Hits, Nickelodeon, Nick Jr., NickMusic, Ten Network Holdings

Channels that have ceased or been rebranded: MTV Live HD, MTV Dance (rebranded as Club MTV), MTV Music (rebranded as MTV Hits), VH1 (supplanted by MTV Classic), MTV Classic (replaced by MTV 80s)

See also

External links

Related profiles

MMTV Classic (Australia)MMTV (New Zealand TV channel)CChannel V AustraliaMMax (Australian TV channel)
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