Max (Canadian TV channel)

Max is a Canadian French language specialty channel that is owned by Remstar Media Group, a division of Remstar. The channel primarily broadcasts entertainment programming, focusing on scripted television series and films.

Max
Max logo
CountryCanada
Broadcast areaNational
SloganLes meilleures séries, les meilleurs films. (The best series, the best films)
HeadquartersMontreal, Quebec
Programming
Picture format1080i (HDTV)
(2010–present)
480i (SDTV)
(1997–present)
Ownership
OwnerRemstar Media Group
Sister channelsElle Fictions
History
LaunchedSeptember 8, 1997
Former namesMusiMax (1997-2016)
Links
Websitemaxtele.ca (in French)
Availability
Cable
Available on many Canadian cable systemsCheck local listings
Satellite
Bell Satellite TVChannel 142 (SD)
Shaw DirectChannel 762 (SD)
IPTV
Bell Aliant Fibe TVChannel 852 (SD)
Channel 952 (HD)
Bell Fibe TVChannel 131 (SD)
Channel 1131 (HD)
Optik TVChannel 2041 (SD)
Telus QuebecChannel 31 (SD)
Channel 531 (HD)
VMediaChannel 113 (SD) (QC)
ZazeenChannel 242 (SD)

Established in 1997 as MusiMax as a joint venture between CHUM Limited and Radiomutuel, it was originally conceived as a sister network to MusiquePlus, and originally focused primarily on adult contemporary music (making it the French-language equivalent to MuchMusic's then-sister station, MuchMoreMusic).

History
Original logo used for only a few years during its inception

On September 4, 1996, CHUM Limited and Radiomutuel were granted approval from the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) to launch MusiMax, described as "a national French-language specialty service designed for an adult audience that will be devoted to music in all its forms..."[1]

Second logo introduced to more closely resemble the logo of its English sister-station, MuchMoreMusic

The channel launched on September 8, 1997[2] as MusiMax under a 50/50 joint venture between CHUM Limited and Radiomutuel. The channel focused primarily on adult contemporary music.

In June 1999, Astral Media announced it would take over Radiomutuel and gain control of Radiomutuel's assets including MusiMax shortly thereafter. In July 2006, CTVglobemedia announced it would acquire CHUM Limited. While the company initially planned to keep MusiquePlus and MusiMax, it instead elected to sell its stakes in the networks. On April 11, 2007, Astral Media announced that it would be acquiring the remaining 50% in MusiMax and MusiquePlus from CHUM Limited, giving it majority ownership. The sale was completed on June 30, 2007.

Fourth logo, actually a variation of the third logo, used from 2013 to 2016.

On March 4, 2013, following the Competition Bureau's approval of Bell Media's takeover of Astral, Bell announced that it would sell MusiquePlus, MusiMax, and Family and its three sister networks in an attempt to relieve CRTC concerns regarding the takeover.[3] On December 4, 2013, Remstar, owners of the French television system V, announced that it would acquire MusiquePlus and MusiMax for an undisclosed amount through its subsidiary V Media Group.[4] On September 11, 2014, the CRTC approved the sale. The acquisition is valued at $15.5 million; to fund the purchase, Remstar will sell 15% stakes in V Media to the Caisse, Fonds de solidarité FTQ and a third unannounced investor, and sell $1.5 million in advertising time across MusiquePlus and MusiMax to Bell. Remstar also successfully applied to have the amount of music-oriented programming the channel must air reduced to 80%.[5][6] The sale was closed on September 16, 2014.[7]

On August 29, 2016, MusiMax rebranded as Max, switching to a general entertainment format.[8]

Max HD

On August 23, 2010, Astral launched a HD feed of MusiMax called MusiMax HD.[9] It is available on Bell Fibe TV, Cogeco and Vidéotron.

International distribution

See also

References
  1. Decision CRTC 96-614 CRTC 09-04-96
  2. The history of CHUM, The Globe and Mail, 04-07-09
  3. BCE takeover of Astral OK’d by Competition Bureau, The Montreal Gazette (via The Canadian Press), March 4, 2013.
  4. "Bell Media signs deal to sell MusiquePlus and MusiMax to V Media Group". Canadian Press. Archived from the original on 11 December 2013. Retrieved 4 December 2013.
  5. Faguy, Steve (13 September 2014). "CRTC approves V's purchase of MusiquePlus/MusiMax". Retrieved 13 September 2014.
  6. "MusiquePlus and MusiMax - Change in effective control and licence amendments". CRTC. Retrieved 13 September 2014.
  7. http://vtele.ca/v/communiques/groupe-v-media-acquiert-musiqueplus-et-musimax-et-annonce-l-arrivee-de-nouveaux-partenaires-financiers_459.php
  8. http://mediaincanada.com/2016/08/10/musimax-rebrands-as-max/
  9. MusiquePlus et Musimax en HD, enfin! (in French)
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