’70 jobs are gone and 25 years of supporting the music industry’: Foxtel axes Channel V as Osher Günsberg reflects on launching his TV career there 21 years ago as ‘Andrew G’
Foxtel have axed Channel [V], Max and CMC (Country Music Channel).
The network announced the closure of the three internally produced music channels on Monday, after partnering with global media company ViacomCBS.
They’ll be replaced by a new line-up of outsourced MTV branded content.
Axed: Foxtel have axed Channel [V], Max and CMC after partnering with media company ViacomCBS. They’ll be replaced by a new line-up of outsourced MTV branded content
The news prompted an emotional response from star Osher Günsberg, who launched his TV career as a live presenter on Channel [V] in 1999.
‘It is with a heavy heart that I learned Foxtel is closing their Australian based music channels in a few weeks. 70 jobs are gone, and 25 years of supporting the music industry in this country,’ wrote Osher on Monday night.
‘Not to mention incubating and launching a massive wave of TV talent both on camera and off camera, people who have taken their careers far and wide since.’
!['70 jobs are gone': The news prompted an emotional response from star Osher Günsberg (pictured), who launched his TV career as a live presenter on Channel [V] in 1999](https://i0.wp.com/i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/05/04/22/28003186-8286361-image-a-11_1588629014849.jpg?resize=634%2C793&ssl=1)
’70 jobs are gone’: The news prompted an emotional response from star Osher Günsberg (pictured), who launched his TV career as a live presenter on Channel [V] in 1999
Osher, who went by the stage name Andrew G during his seven years at Channel [V], went on to share a handwritten letter from Tim Daley, the former executive producer of By Demand, the show he launched his live broadcasting career on.
Dated 1999, the letter outlined Tim’s vision for the interactive music show and passion for the project after welcoming ‘Andrew G’ to the launch team.
‘Sometimes the right combination of people come together under the right leaders and magical things happen,’ he said, reflecting on By Demand’s success.
‘I’m honoured to be a small part of the legacy that those leaders built.’
!['Honoured to be a small part of the legacy': Osher went by the stage name Andrew G on Channel [V]. He worked for the network from 1999 to 2006. Pictured: Andrew G in 2000](https://i2.wp.com/i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/05/04/23/28003688-8286361-image-a-13_1588630001377.jpg?resize=634%2C476&ssl=1)
‘Honoured to be a small part of the legacy’: Osher went by the stage name Andrew G on Channel [V]. He worked for the network from 1999 to 2006. Pictured: Andrew G in 2000
Discussing the new partnership with ViacomCBS, Foxtel Chief Commercial Officer, Amanda Laing, shared a statement with TV Blackbox on Monday.
She said: ‘We are delighted to forge this new partnership with ViacomCBS which reaffirms Foxtel’s commitment to music television designed for Australian audiences. The agreement continues the refresh of Foxtel’s channel line-up and provides our customers with an even greater choice of music genres.
‘ViacomCBS are global leaders in music television with a long-standing commitment to Australian music and we are pleased to continue building on our relationship with them with this historic new arrangement.’
![Emotional: Osher shared a handwritten letter he received from Channel [V']s By Demand executive producer Tim Daley in 1999, outlining his vision for the show before its launch](https://i1.wp.com/i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/05/04/23/28003692-8286361-image-a-14_1588630016550.jpg?resize=634%2C791&ssl=1)
Emotional: Osher shared a handwritten letter he received from Channel [V’]s By Demand executive producer Tim Daley in 1999, outlining his vision for the show before its launch