Launched September 8, 1997 Broadcast area National Founded 1997 | Owned by V Media Group | |
Slogan Un max d'émotions. (A max of emotions) | ||
Max is a Canadian French language Category A specialty channel. The channel primarily broadcasts entertainment programming, including TV series and films.
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Established in 1997 as MusiMax by a joint venture between CHUM Limited and Radiomutuel, it is a sister network to MusiquePlus, and originally focused primarily on adult contemporary music (making it the French-language equivalent to MuchMusic's sister station, then known as MuchMoreMusic).
History
MusiMax was licensed by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) in September 1996 by CHUM Limited and Radiomutuel and launched on September 8, 1997, with each company holding 50% of the service.
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 the Competition Bureau's approval of Bell Media's takeover of Astral, Bell announced that it would sell MusiquePlus and MusiMax in an attempt to relieve CRTC concerns regarding the takeover. 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. 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%. The sale was closed on September 16, 2014.
On August 29, 2016, MusiMax rebranded as Max, switching to a general entertainment format.
Max HD
On August 23, 2010, Astral launched a HD feed of MusiMax called MusiMax HD. It is available on Bell Fibe TV, Cogeco and Vidéotron.