MTV Classic (Australia)
| Company type | Subscription television channel |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music television |
| Predecessor | VH1 Australia |
| Founded | March 14, 2004 in Australia |
| Defunct | August 1, 2023 |
| Fate | Replaced by MTV 80s in Australia and New Zealand |
| Headquarters | Australia |
Area served | Australia, New Zealand (formerly) |
| Owner | MTV Networks Australia (part of ViacomCBS) |
| Website | www |
MTV Classic (previously known as VH1 Australia) was a subscription-based music television channel available in Australia and New Zealand, concentrating on hits from the 1980s through to the 2000s. It initially launched in Australia on 14 March 2004 under the name VH1 and later extended its reach to New Zealand on 1 June 2011. On 1 July 2011, MTV International channels underwent a rebranding with updated logos.
The channel discontinued its broadcasts in both Australia and New Zealand on 1 April 2016 but continued operations in Latin America and Brazil. It made a comeback on Fetch TV on 27 February 2017, followed by a relaunch on Sky New Zealand in December 2017, and eventually returned to Foxtel on 1 July 2020, taking over the slot previously held by MAX.
In New Zealand, MTV Classic was succeeded by MTV 80s on 1 July 2020, with the same replacement occurring in Australia on 1 August 2023.
VH1 Era
VH1 commenced broadcasting on 14 March 2004 through Foxtel's digital platform and was subsequently added to Austar and Optus. In April 2006, SelecTV incorporated VH1 into its lineup, followed by availability on TransACT and Neighbourhood Cable in 2008. Although operated within Australia, the channel's programming was largely sourced from the US and UK, featuring shows such as The Fabulous Life of... and Driven.
The VH1 website launched on 3 August 2006, adopting a similar framework to MTV Australia, providing updates, contests, artist biographies, and program information including titles like Can't Get a Date. The site underwent maintenance from April until November 2007 before evolving into a dedicated section within MTV’s web presence by August 2009.
On 25 November 2006, VH1 presented Australia's Favourite Lyric, a countdown determined by both industry professionals and viewers, with INXS’s "Never Tear Us Apart" securing the top spot.
Unlike MTV’s broader entertainment focus, VH1 maintained a predominantly music-centered schedule, with its non-music content frequently broadcast on MTV or other affiliated channels.
Transformation into MTV Classic
On 10 February 2010, MTV Networks Australia revealed plans to rebrand VH1 as MTV Classic due to VH1’s lower audience figures relative to MTV Australia. The relaunch featured a special music event replacing the annual MTV Australia Awards, held at Melbourne’s Palace Theatre, showcasing performances by both domestic and international artists including former Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash. The inaugural video aired under the new branding was "Video Killed the Radio Star" by The Buggles.
MTV Classic became accessible via Australian IPTV provider Fetch TV upon its launch in June 2010. The channel transitioned to widescreen format broadcasting on 23 November 2010.
Extending its footprint further, MTV Classic debuted in New Zealand through Sky Television on 1 June 2011.
Discontinuation on Foxtel
On 29 October 2013, MTV announced a partnership with Foxtel aimed at broadening its offerings by introducing new channels that would replace MTV Classic and MTV Hits—both of which overlapped with Foxtel Networks’ own MAX and [V] Hits channels. Consequently, MTV Classic was supplanted by MTV Dance, a global music channel focusing on dance, hip hop, and RnB genres—marking MTV's first multi-genre music channel. While these changes led to the removal of MTV Classic and MTV Hits from Foxtel's lineup, they continued to be available via Fetch TV in Australia and Sky Television in New Zealand. These adjustments were implemented starting from 3 December 2013.
Discontinuation of channel in New Zealand
On 1 December 2015, Sky Television substituted both MTV Classic and MTV Hits with a New Zealand-specific edition of MTV Music.
Termination
Fetch TV, the final distributor of MTV Classic, declared on 28 February 2016 that the channel would be discontinued as of 1 April 2016.
Reinstatement and ultimate shutdown
Responding to viewer demand, MTV Classic was relaunched on Fetch TV on 27 February 2017. The channel, available solely on channel 140, showcased rock, R&B, and pop hits spanning from the 1980s through the early 2000s. Subsequently, Sky TV New Zealand reinstated the channel on 8 December 2017; however, it was supplanted by MTV 80s on 1 July 2020.
On 1 July 2020, MTV Classic made a comeback on Foxtel at channel 804, taking over from MAX after a seven-year hiatus. Eventually, on 1 August 2023, MTV Classic was replaced by MTV 80s across both Foxtel and FetchTV in Australia, mirroring a similar transition that had occurred in New Zealand three years prior.
Video Jockeys
At its inception (under the VH1 branding), the channel featured two main on-air personalities: Zoe Sheridan, who contributed behind the scenes and embodied a sophisticated presence, and David Campbell, offspring of renowned Australian rocker Jimmy Barnes. Campbell achieved chart success with his track "Hope" and was a key presenter on the program Inside Track until it ended. In later years, the channel shifted focus towards voiceover narration and occasional guest hosts.
Content
Designed for viewers aged between 24 and 40, MTV Classic emphasizes artist-centric shows alongside classic MTV programming.
In-house productions (2010–2013)
- Behind the Music
- Celebrity Deathmatch
- Classic Albums
- Famous Crime Scene
- Greatest
- MTV Unplugged
- The Osbournes
- Storytellers
- That Metal Show
Additionally, the channel broadcast music documentaries and live concert specials.
ARIA Hall of Fame
Since 20 August 2006, MTV Classic held broadcasting rights for The ARIA Hall of Fame Awards ceremony. Established as part of the ARIA Awards in 1988, the Hall of Fame celebrates a wide array of artists such as AC/DC, Dame Joan Sutherland, Olivia Newton-John, Johnny O'Keefe, Paul Kelly, John Farnham, INXS, Slim Dusty, and Jimmy Little.
MTV Australia Video Music Awards
In March 2005, VH1 co-hosted coverage of the MTV Australia Video Music Awards, spotlighting notable performers and presenting the VH1 Music First Award to Cher.
Inside Track
Inside Track featured emerging local and international music along with videos, with hosts conducting interviews with artists including Jet, Darren Hayes, PJ Harvey, Lionel Richie, Olivia Newton-John, and Chris Isaak.
- Countdown – VH1 rebroadcast full episodes and music videos from ABC’s iconic music series. The Countdown Special incorporated live performances and artist interviews.
- The Greatest
- The Meldrum Tapes – A series compiling Molly Meldrum’s interviews sourced from ABC archives, airing since February 2008.
- RocKwiz
- Top of the Pops – Starting August 2009, VH1 aired a repackaged version of this long-standing UK music program.
Programming following the 2020 relaunch (2017–2023)
After its revival in 2020, VH1 updated its lineup by introducing themed programming blocks scheduled throughout the day, closely aligned with the format of VH1 Classic Europe. Prominent segments featured:
- 70s & 80s
- 90s & Noughties
- Classic Clock-Off
- Flashback Friday 100
- Good Morning Music
- Memory Lane
- Non-Stop Classics
- Party Mix
- Saturday Night Fever
- Snooze Sunday
- Sunday Sessions
- Superstar Spotlight
- Timeless Tunes
- Turn Back Time
- Windback Tracks
- Weekend Wake-Up
- Yesterday's Hits, Today
See also
External links
- Articles with short description
- MTV channels
- Defunct music video networks
- Music video networks in Australia
- Music video networks in New Zealand
- English-language television stations in Australia
- English-language television stations in New Zealand
- Television channels and stations established in 2004
- Television channels and stations disestablished in 2016
- Television channels and stations established in 2017
- Defunct television channels in New Zealand
- Defunct television channels in Australia
- Television channels and stations disestablished in 2023