 Max logo | |
| Country | Canada |
|---|---|
| Broadcast area | National |
| Headquarters | Montreal,Quebec |
| Programming | |
| Language | Canadian French |
| Picture format | 1080i (HDTV) (2010–present) 480i (SDTV) (1997–present) |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | CHUM Limited (1997-2007) Radiomutuel (1997-1999) Astral Media (1999-2013) Remstar Media Group (2013-Present) |
| Sister channels | Elle Fictions |
| History | |
| Launched | September 8, 1997; 28 years ago (1997-09-08) |
| Former names | MusiMax (1997-2016) |
| Links | |
| Website | maxtele |
Max is aCanadianFrench languagespecialty channel owned byRemstar Media Group, a division of Remstar. The channel primarily broadcasts entertainment programming, focusing on scripted television series and films.
Established in 1997 asMusiMax as a joint venture betweenCHUM Limited and Radiomutuel, it was originally conceived as a sister network toMusiquePlus, and focused primarily onadult contemporary music (making it the French-language equivalent toMuchMusic's then-sister networkMuchMoreMusic). After the acquisition of CHUM by CTVglobemedia, Radiomutuel's successorAstral Media acquired CHUM's stake in MusiMax, marking its separation from common ownership with its English counterpart. When Astral was acquired by CTVglobemedia's predecessorBell Media in 2013, MusiquePlus was sold to V Media Group, parent company of Quebec'sV network.
As with its English counterpart, MusiMax was formerly oriented primarily towards music programming. Due to shrinking interest in music television because of the growth of online platforms, MusiMax increasingly focused on non-music programming targeting a young adult audience, such as scripted programming and films. In 2016, Remstar relaunched MusiMax as Max into its current format while M3 (the former MuchMoreMusic) was replaced into the Canadian version of Gusto, which was renamed intoCTV Life Channel in 2019.
As a formerCategory A service, Max was required to be carried on the basic service of all digital television providers serving the province of Quebec. The channel was, and still is, typically offered optionally at the discretion of providers outside of the province.
CHUM Limited first pursued a license from theCRTC forMuchMoreMusic—anadult contemporary counterpart toMuchMusic—in 1993, as part of a round of applications for new specialty channels. CHUM also proposed MusiquExtra, a French-language counterpart that would be a sister toMusiquePlus. The CRTC approved onlyMaclean-Hunter andRawlco Communications'The Country Network, denying all other applicants.[1]
CHUM submitted its proposals again in January 1996; they included both MuchMoreMusic and its French counterpart with Radiomutuel, now known as MusiMax, which proposed a service "designed for an adult audience that will be devoted to music in all its forms".[2][3] On September 4, 1996, the CRTC approved CHUM and Radiomutel's application for Musimax.[2] The channel launched on September 8, 1997.[4]
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.
On March 4, 2013, following theCompetition Bureau's approval ofBell Media's takeover of Astral, Bell announced that it would sell MusiquePlus, MusiMax, andFamily and itsthreesisternetworks in an attempt to relieve CRTC concerns regarding the takeover.[5] On December 4, 2013,Remstar, owners of the French television systemV, announced that it would acquire MusiquePlus and MusiMax for an undisclosed amount through its subsidiaryV Media Group.[6] 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 tothe 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%.[7][8] The sale was closed on September 16, 2014.[9]
On August 29, 2016, MusiMax rebranded asMax, switching to a general entertainment format.[10]
On August 23, 2010, Astral launched aHD feed of MusiMax called MusiMax HD.[11] It is available onBell Fibe TV,Cogeco andVidéotron. On August 29th, 2016, Musimax HD rebranded to Max HD due to the name change.