[UPDATE] Foxtel To Shut Down Channel [V] On Friday

update: 9.47am

In an official statement given to The Music this morning, a Foxtel spokesperson confirmed that the Channel [V] brand will no longer be used as of this Friday. 

"We are making some changes to our music channels on Foxtel," the statement read.

"You will start to see some changes to Channel [V] from this Saturday, February 27. From Friday, March 25 we will no longer use the Channel [V] brand and will change to V Hits and V Hits +2. V Hits features a line-up of music videos and countdowns, including the latest hits from Australia and around the world."

The spokesperson has also said there will be no changes to the MAX, CMC or Smooth music channels.

Meanwhile, Pedestrian have published a leaked email from Executive Director of Television, Brian Walsh, to staff overnight informing them of the changes. 

In the email, Walsh cites a "steady decline" in audiences of music channels as one of the reasons behind the decision, while he confirms that the channel "will continue as a clip based channel with no long form content."

It is yet to be officially confirmed if there will be staff cuts due to the changes, however the email does state, "I would also like to thank those team members leaving us today."

Read the full email below. 

"Dear Colleagues,

8.55am

The Music has received information from multiple sources this morning that Foxtel has decided to close its music channels, including Channel [V], [V] Hits and MAX. 

Comments by staff being circulated on social media indicate that staff were told about the closures yesterday, reportedly with a majority of them given notice as well. 

A number of past and present Channel [V] presenters have addressed the closure on Twitter.

Channel V is closing on Friday. Must have been a tough call to make for MGMT. 20yrs of cutting edge TV, sad to see it go.

— Osher Günsberg (@oshergunsberg) February 23, 2016

Decades of music, concerts, punters, rock-stars, laughs, gaffs, jokes, tears, smiles and mostly love went into a sensational place.

— Danny Clayton (@DannyjClayton) February 23, 2016

After 20 years of music television, @channelv says goodbye this friday..Thanks for the memories and the great times. I loved working wit you

— Jane Gazzo (@JaneGazzo) February 23, 2016

Love to all the talented people at @channelv... It must be tought times for the final curtain. Loved working with you... luv you guys x

— Jane Gazzo (@JaneGazzo) February 23, 2016

Sad to hear Channel [V] is no more!
Had SO MUCH fun, made friends for life, laughed ass off, still looking for ass

— Yumi Stynes (@yumichild) February 24, 2016

Very sad to hear the news about @channelv - it was a rad place to work. Made life longs friends there and witnessed amazing music moments ✌️

— Marty $miley (@martysmiley) February 24, 2016

Channel [V ]and MAX rarely appear in the Top 20 figures for national pay-TV programming — a scan of last week's figures show the 20th program's viewership as low as 40,000, with no programming from Channel [V] or MAX appearing on any night. 

The Music has reached out to Channel [V] for comment.

More information as it comes to hand.