MusiquePlus | |
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MusiquePlus logo
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Launched | September 2, 1986 (share channel space with TVJQ) September 1, 1988 (separate 24-hour channel) |
Owned by |
V Media Group (Remstar) |
Picture format |
1080i (HDTV) (2010–present) 480i (SDTV) (1986–present) |
Country | Canada |
Broadcast area | National |
Headquarters | Montreal, Quebec |
Sister channel(s) |
Max V |
Website | MusiquePlus (French) |
Availability
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Satellite | |
Bell TV | Channel 141 (SD) Channel 1876 (HD) |
Shaw Direct | Channel 775 (SD) |
Cable | |
Available on many Canadian cable systems | Check local listings |
IPTV | |
Bell Aliant Fibe TV | Channel 851 (SD) Channel 951 (HD) |
Bell Fibe TV | Channel 130 (SD) Channel 1130 (HD) |
Optik TV | Channel 2040 (SD) |
Telus Quebec | Channel 30 (SD) Channel 530 (HD) |
VMedia | Channel 112 (SD) (QC) |
Zazeen | Channel 240 (HD) |
MusiquePlus is a Canadian French language Category A specialty channel. Established in 1987, the network was initially formed as a French-language version of the English-language music network MuchMusic, and was—until 2006—operated as a joint venture between MuchMusic's parent company CHUM Limited, and Montreal-based radio broadcaster Astral Media. Following the acquisition of CHUM by CTVglobemedia, Astral Media acquired CHUM's stake in MusiquePlus, marking its separation from common ownership with its English counterpart. After the 2013 acquisition of Astral by CTVglobemedia's predecessor Bell Media, MusiquePlus was sold to V Media Group, parent company of Quebec's V network.
MusiquePlus primarily airs music programming, including pop, R&B, and rock music videos; however, as with its English counterpart, the network has increasingly branched out into entertainment programming, such as comedy, films, and reality shows.
As a Category A service, MusiquePlus must be carried on the basic service of all digital television providers serving the province of Quebec. Outside of Quebec, however, carriage of MusiquePlus is optional and at the discretion of local service providers.
Launching on September 2, 1986, MusiquePlus originated with an eight-hour schedule, sharing channel space with TVJQ (a predecessor of VRAK.TV); it consisted of music videos and interviews and performances that were taped from a studio on Boulevard St. Laurent in Montreal. Four hours of this programming was produced from MuchMusic's studios in Toronto and sent to Vidéotron for broadcast in Quebec to subscribers of MuchMusic. This programming repeated once daily.
CHUM later submitted an application with the CRTC in 1987 for a licence to operate MusiquePlus as a dedicated 24-hour channel. The CRTC approved its application, and MusiquePlus was launched as a separate channel on September 1, 1988. The channel was a joint venture between CHUM Limited and Radiomutel—each owning 50%. Radiomutuel was acquired by Astral Media in June 1999.