VH1 Australia

Infobox TV channel
dummy parameter=
name= VH1 Australia
country=Australia
logofile= VH1 Logo.pnglogosize = 200px
logoalt= MTV logo
launch= March 14, 2004
slogan = As Good as Ever
share= 0.2%
share as of = February 2008
share source = [http://www.oztam.com.au/documents/2008/B1_20080127.pdf Ratings Week 5 ((27/1/2008 - 2/2/2008)] ]
owner= MTV Networks Australia
web= [http://www.vh1.com.au www.vh1.com.au]
terr avail=Not Available
sat serv 1 = SelecTV
sat chan 1 = Channel 38

cable serv 1=Optus Television
cable chan 1=Channel 810
cable serv 2=Foxtel Digital
cable chan 2=Channel 810
cable serv 3=Austar Digital
cable chan 3=Channel 810
cable serv 4=Neighbourhood Cable
cable serv 5=TransACT
cable chan 5=Channel 252|

VH1 Australia is a music channel in Australia. It is the sister channel to MTV Australia, both of these channels air on the Optus, Foxtel and Austar TV networks. In April 2006, Australian pay TV newcomer, SelecTV began to carry VH1 also. In 2008 it began carriage on TransACT and Neighbourhood Cable.

History

The channel first aired on Sunday March 14, 2004 when Foxtel launched its digital product and then on Austar and Optus shortly after [cite news | title=Launch of VH1 Australia
date=2006-03-14 | publisher=SATKurier| url=http://www.satkurier.pl/news/11815/] . The channel although Australian run, mainly shows programing for the US and the UK with programs such as The Fabulous Life of... and the celebrity based documentary Driven.

On November 25, 2006 VH1 presented Australia's Favourite Lyric which prensented a long list of songs on the VH1 website for viewers and industry members to vote. When the votes closed the list was made into a top 100 countdown and INXS took out the top spot with their song Never Tear Us Apart. [cite news | title=INXS'S "NEVER TEAR US APART" AUSSIES' FAVE LYRIC
date=2006-11-21 | publisher=Themusic.com.au| url=http://www.themusic.com.au/im_m/display.php?s=christie&id=75] [cite news | title=INXS takes Oz's favourite lyric
date=2006-11-20 | publisher=news.com.au| url=http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,20787446-1702,00.html]

In the channels current format, mostly music programming is aired on weekdays, with most entertainment programming airing on weekends.

Website

The VH1 Website officially launched on August 3, 2006. The website some what follows the format of the MTV Australia website. It contains a news section, competitions, features, info on new acts and more. It also has details on shows like Can't Get a Date. The website also provides an e-newsletter.The website was closed down in April, 2007 for maintenance and was offline until November.

Original Programming

VH1 Australia does not have many original shows but have broadcasted some of the following:

MTV Australia Video Music Awards

In March of 2005 VH1 co-broadcasted the MTV Australia Video Music Awards. As well as showing facts about the nominated artists, during this time, they also had a special award called the VH1 Music First Award which was awarded to Cher.

ARIA Hall of Fame

VH1 Australia have the rights to The ARIA Hall of Fame Awards show (aired on August 20 2006). The Hall of Fame has been an important part of the ARIA Awards since 1988. Traditionally taking place during the ARIA Awards ceremony, a diverse range of artists have been inducted into the Hall of Fame including AC/DC, Dame Joan Sutherland, Olivia Newton-John, Johnny O'Keefe, Paul Kelly, John Farnham, INXS, Slim Dusty, Jimmy Little and many more [cite news | title=ARIAs Hall of Fame
date=2005-05-30 | publisher=The Age| url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/Music/ARIAs-Hall-of-Fame/2005/05/30/1117305541889.html] .

Inside Track

Inside Track features new music and videos internationally and locally. So far the previous hostters have chatted with Jet, Darren Hayes, PJ Harvey, Lionel Richie, Olivia Newton-John and Chris Isaak.

Countdown

VH1 has begun airing full episode repeats and music clips of ABC's popular music show Countdown. The Countdown special included live performances and interviews.

The Meldrum Tapes

A compilation of interviews from the archives of Molly Meldrum, it began airing from February 2008.

VH1 has also aired the Australian music quiz show RocKwiz.

VJ's

When the Channel first launched it employed 2 on-air talent but they soon cut them off set and began running on mainly voice overs and guest presenters, the 2 hosts were: Zoe Sheridan: The glamorous and sexy side of the project who assisted in the production to Inside Track and David Campbell: The son of Australia Rock sensation Jimmy Barnes. David also had some chart success with his hit single "Hope" which sold well in Australia the US and The UK, he also was one of the faces of Inside Track until it's cancellation.

Other

The channel continues to rate well but not as highly as its sister MTV Australia and rival [Channel V Australia|Channel [V] .

ee also

* MTV Australia
* MTV Australia Video Music Awards

References

External links

* [http://www.vh1.com.au Official VH1 Australia Site]