V Hits
An Australian Foxtel music television channel that operated under the V Hits name from 2009 until 2017 and was later succeeded by the V channel brand before closing in 2020.
Last updated August 26, 2026
AI crawler reads
No AI crawler has read this profile since Oct 28, 2026.
Overview
V Hits was an Australian music television channel owned and operated by Foxtel. It was distributed through Foxtel Digital and Optus digital television services and formed part of Foxtel's portfolio of specialist music channels. The service focused on continuous music-video programming, chart-based countdowns and selected music-oriented entertainment formats, covering pop, rock, urban and dance music. The channel developed from Foxtel's earlier Channel [V]2 service. Channel [V]2 had been relaunched as V Hits on 15 November 2009, giving the service a clearer mass-market music identity and a 24-hour format. Its programming combined music videos with themed countdowns, chart shows and branded presentation segments. The overnight schedule was generally commercial-free, while daytime and evening output included recurring countdowns and music programming built around current releases and audience interest. V Hits was closely associated with the broader Channel [V] brand. In March 2016, Foxtel made V Hits its principal music-video channel and introduced a two-hour time-shift version. This followed a strategic decision to close the original Channel [V] Australia service and concentrate the principal music-video offering under the V Hits name. The reconfigured channel emphasized music clips and countdowns rather than a broad entertainment schedule. A related V Hits +2 service provided delayed programming and was moved between Foxtel channel positions during its operation. In 2017, Foxtel changed the branding again: V Hits was rebranded as [V], while V Hits +2 became [V]+2. As a result, V Hits ceased to exist as a distinct on-air brand, although its programming role continued within the renamed V service. The channel lineage therefore reflects several stages of Foxtel's Australian music television strategy, moving from Club [V] and Channel [V]2 to V Hits and then back to the [V] identity. Foxtel announced in May 2020 that it would discontinue its local music-video networks as part of a wider channel arrangement with ViacomCBS Networks UK & Australia. The V service ceased operations on 30 June 2020. It was replaced by an Australian version of NickMusic, a music channel aimed primarily at children and younger audiences. V Hits is therefore a defunct television brand rather than a current record label or music distributor.
History
V Hits was part of Foxtel's Australian music-television portfolio and descended from the Channel [V] family of services. The broader lineage began with Club [V], a dance-music channel launched in 2004 as part of Foxtel's expansion of its digital channel offering. Club [V] was initially presented as an advertising-free service focused on dance music. On 12 January 2007, Club [V] was relaunched with a new name and format. The reworked service became more closely connected to Channel [V], with the two channels sharing presentation conventions and directing viewers to programming on the sister service. Channel [V]2 retained a more music-focused role and did not carry the same entertainment-oriented programs as the main Channel [V] channel. On 15 November 2009, Channel [V]2 was relaunched as V Hits. The new channel operated as a 24-hour music-video service, with programming spanning pop, rock, urban and dance music. Its schedule relied heavily on themed countdowns, chart-based programs and blocks of videos organized around particular artists, genres or audience requests. Examples of programs associated with the service included Late Night [V]ibes, Good [V]ibes, Oz Countdown, Kick on With [V], [V] Live, The Shazam Chart Show, The Spotify Top 50, [V] Music Video Chart, Unco[v]ered, Today's Hit 40, Triple Play, Top 25, Nothin' But..., Fan Made 5, Fresh [V]id and [V] Presents. Countdown programming was central to the channel's format. In addition to regular charts, the service used larger special-event countdowns such as Top 50, Top 100 and Top 200 presentations. In January 2010, V Hits broadcast a 10,000 Hits countdown, described in contemporary channel material as an unusually large music-video countdown. Overnight programming, generally running from midnight or approximately 10:30 p.m. until 6 a.m., was presented without advertising. The channel attracted regulatory attention in June 2012 when a broadcast of Lady Gaga's "Born This Way" was investigated because some scenes were considered inappropriate. The incident was a programming-content matter rather than a corporate scandal, and the available reference material does not establish a broader controversy or financial consequence. Foxtel changed the structure of its music channels in 2016. On 25 March, a two-hour time-shift version of V Hits launched, replacing the sister Channel [V] service. V Hits itself became the principal music-clip channel and was repositioned around music videos and countdowns. The time-shift service was subsequently identified as V Hits +2 and changed Foxtel channel position in November 2016. In 2017, the service was rebranded again. V Hits became [V], while V Hits +2 became [V]+2. This ended V Hits as a distinct brand, although the underlying service continued as part of the renamed [V] network. The change illustrated Foxtel's effort to consolidate its music-channel branding rather than maintain several overlapping identities. The final phase came in 2020. On 4 May, Foxtel announced that it would close its local music-video networks under an arrangement with ViacomCBS Networks UK & Australia, connected with the introduction of additional MTV, Nick and CMT-branded services in Australia. The [V] service ceased operations on 30 June 2020. An Australian version of NickMusic replaced it. V Hits consequently remains a historical Australian music-television brand whose active period ran from its 2009 launch under that name through its 2017 rebranding, with the associated V service ending in 2020.
- 2020
Broadcasting ends
[1]Foxtel ends the local V music networks on 30 June, with NickMusic taking the place of the Australian V service.
- 2017
V Hits is renamed [V]
[1]The V Hits service adopts the [V] name, while its time-shift companion becomes [V]+2.
- 2016
V Hits becomes the principal music-clip channel
[1]Foxtel closes Channel [V] Australia, launches a V Hits two-hour time-shift service and refocuses the main V Hits channel on music videos and countdowns.
- 2012
Content investigation involving Lady Gaga video
[1]A broadcast of "Born This Way" is investigated over concerns about inappropriate scenes.
- 2010
10,000 Hits countdown airs
[1]V Hits broadcasts a large-scale 10,000 Hits music-video countdown.
- 2009
Channel [V]2 becomes V Hits
[1]Channel [V]2 is relaunched as V Hits, a 24-hour channel for pop, rock, urban and dance music videos.
- 2007
Club [V] receives a new name and format
[1]The service is relaunched with a revised format and closer presentation links to Channel [V].
- 2004
Club [V] launches
[1]Foxtel launches Club [V] as a dance-music channel during an expansion of its digital television portfolio.
Products and positioning
A dedicated Australian pay-TV music channel centered on continuous music videos, current-hit charts and themed countdowns, positioned as a mainstream youth and popular-music service within Foxtel's television portfolio.
Music television channel · 2009
V Hits
The principal V Hits service was a 24-hour Australian pay-TV music channel launched in 2009 from the former Channel [V]2 identity. It presented music videos across pop, rock, urban and dance genres, supported by chart shows, themed countdowns, artist features and other music-focused segments. Its format was designed for continuous viewing, with overnight output generally free of advertising. In 2016 it became Foxtel's main music-clip outlet before being rebranded as [V] in 2017.
Time-shift music television channel · 2016
V Hits +2
V Hits +2 was a delayed version of the V Hits schedule, introduced as part of Foxtel's 2016 channel restructuring. It gave viewers access to the main channel's music programming on a two-hour delay. In 2017, the service was renamed [V]+2 when the main V Hits channel became [V].
Brand decisions
2020
Closure of the local V music networksStrategyBackground
Foxtel announced a wider change to its Australian channel portfolio in connection with an arrangement involving ViacomCBS Networks UK & Australia.
Action taken
Foxtel discontinued the local V music-video networks at the end of June and replaced the service with Australian NickMusic.
Aftermath
The V-branded Australian music television operation ended on 30 June 2020.
2017
Return to the [V] brandStrategyBackground
Foxtel revised the naming of its music-video services after operating V Hits as the principal channel.
Action taken
V Hits was rebranded as [V], and V Hits +2 was renamed [V]+2.
Aftermath
V Hits ceased to operate as a separate brand, while the renamed [V] service continued until its closure in 2020.
2016
Consolidation around V HitsStrategyBackground
Foxtel decided to close Channel [V] Australia as a standalone channel and make V Hits its principal music-video service.
Action taken
A two-hour V Hits time-shift channel was launched, while the main V Hits service was refocused on music videos and countdowns.
Aftermath
The Channel [V] identity was removed from the principal Australian music-video service, although the V Hits brand itself was later replaced by [V].
Recent events
- 2020
Foxtel announces closure of Australian V music networks[1]
Other
Foxtel announced that its local music-video networks would close as part of a channel agreement with ViacomCBS Networks UK & Australia.
- 2020
V service closes and is replaced by NickMusic[1]
Other · Product launch
The V service ceased broadcasting on 30 June 2020 and was replaced in Australia by an Australian version of NickMusic.
- 2017
V Hits is rebranded as [V][1]
Product generation
Foxtel returned the main service to the [V] brand and renamed V Hits +2 as [V]+2, ending V Hits as a separate on-air identity.
- 2016
Foxtel makes V Hits the main music-video channel[1]
Product generation
Foxtel closed Channel [V] Australia as a standalone service, launched a two-hour V Hits time-shift channel and repositioned V Hits as its principal music-clip outlet.
- 2012
V Hits faces investigation over broadcast of Lady Gaga music video[1]
Regulation · Other
A broadcast of Lady Gaga's music video for "Born This Way" was investigated after concerns were raised about scenes considered inappropriate for the channel's audience.
- 2009
V Hits launches as the renamed Channel [V]2 service[1]
Product launch
Channel [V]2 was relaunched as V Hits, adopting a 24-hour music-video format covering pop, rock, urban and dance music.
Sources1 sources
Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/v-hits · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled