mcn

MCN
  • The Future of Advertising is Here
  • Animation goes for gold during the Commonwealth Games
  • Deadliest Catch is back for its biggest season yet!
  • Multiply is the new in-house production division of MCN
  • Newly named FOXTEL CHANNELS GROUP has a focused commitment to home-grown programming...
  • ...with a continued investment in exclusive international programming acquisitions
  • The Future of Advertising is Here
  • Animation goes for gold during the Commonwealth Games
  • Deadliest Catch is back for its biggest season yet!
  • Multiply is the new in-house production division of MCN
  • Newly named FOXTEL CHANNELS GROUP has a focused commitment to home-grown programming...
  • ...with a continued investment in exclusive international programming acquisitions
Skip Navigation LinksHome | About us | Our history

Our history

The Multi Channel Network was formed in 1997 as a central ad sales arm for Foxtel and Austar channels. Since then the business has evolved to keep pace with the changing consumer offers of the platforms. These include the introduction of digital television which introduced many more channels, the development of personal digital players such as the Foxtel IQ and Austar Mystar boxes, and more recently the imminent launch of new High Definition channels.

MCN is now recognised as a global leader in multi channel interactive television advertising. Among many evolutionary advertising models, MCN can lay claim to the following milestones:

  • The development of the first advertising models on the STV platform in Australia.
  • The first interactive television advertising in Australia.
  • The first Video on Demand television advertising in Australia.
  • The introduction of truly integrated new advertising platforms merging across multiple media channels including on air, online and mobile.

From humble beginnings, MCN has evolved into a sophisticated multi dimensional media sales company that is determined to continue to 'invent the future of advertising' in a rapidly changing media landscape.

Timeline 1992-2008

2008

  • JANUARY

    On Demand launches Parkinson: The Shane Warne Interview on UKTV takes the wicket as the top rating Subscription TV show of all time. Online FOXTEL programming guide launches

  • MARCH

    FOXTEL, AUSTAR and MCN announce most comprehensive digital TV Audience Measurement System in Australia

  • MAY

    MCN unveils new look and website

  • JUNE

    FOXTEL releases the iQ2. FOXTEL and BBC Worldwide announce strategic partnership. FOXTEL launches HD+ service with 4 HD channels

  • JULY

    MCN Melbourne appoints Gerard Max to the new role of General Manager and Ben Sumpter to Melbourne Sales Director

  • SEPTEMBER

    MCN launches new Interactive Advertising (iA) technology

  • NOVEMBER

    FOXTEL launches 111HITS and BBC Knowledge, both represented by MCN

  • DECEMBER

    MCN announces spot verification plans with Xtreme, service to start July 2009.

2007

  • JANUARY

    On Demand launches Parkinson: The Shane Warne Interview on UKTV takes the wicket as the top rating Subscription TV show of all time. Online FOXTEL programming guide launches

  • FEBRUARY

    AFL, SEVEN, TEN & FOXTEL announce AFL Broadcast Agreement with FOXTEL, AUSTAR and FOX SPORTS delivering more AFL than any other Network

    STV shatters television ratings records. Number 1 network in Sydney & Brisbane, 2nd place in all metro homes

  • MARCH

    Acquisition of additional satellite capacity for new television services MCN launches 1st Video on Demand advertisement with Sony

  • APRIL

    Eleven TV Week Logie Award Nominations: a record haul for STV

  • JULY

    Landmark output deal with 20th Century Fox Television sees first-run programming to FOXTEL. MCN launches a new promotions portal www.tvwinners.com.au

  • AUGUST

    TEN signs Digital Retransmission Agreement with FOXTEL Growth in subscribers and profits reaches record highs

  • OCTOBER

    FOXTEL And Nine Secure Australian Broadcast Rights to the 2010 Winter Olympics and 2012 Summer Olympics

  • DECEMBER

    Showtime launches a new premium Channel - SHOWCASE FOXTEL Launches Its First Retail Store In Subiaco

2006

  • MAY

    FOXTEL programming wins a record 4 Logies

  • JUNE

    FOXTEL digital passes one million subscribers & FOXTEL relocates to the nation's most advanced digital television facility, the FOXTEL Television Centre

  • JULY

    MCN launches the first interactive Dedicated Advertiser Location (DAL)& FOXTEL delivers its first full year operating profit - year end 30.06.06

  • AUGUST

    MCN Online launches representing premier STV channel websites

  • OCTOBER

    Telstra launches FOXTEL on NEXT G™ mobiles

2005

  • MARCH

    FOXTEL iQ launches

  • APRIL

    MCN launches the first two interactive advertising campaigns on the FOXTEL Digital platform

  • OCTOBER

    FOXTEL's 10th Birthday

2004

  • MARCH

    FOXTEL& AUSTAR Digital launches including digital interactive offerings of Sky News Interactive and FOX SPORTS Active

2003

  • AUGUST

    OzTAM provides audience measurement services for Subscription TV in Australia, until the end of December 2006

2002

  • NOVEMBER

    ACCC approves content sharing between OPTUS Television (previously OPTUS Vision) and FOXTEL

1999

  • MARCH

    FOXTEL launches satellite service

  • APRIL

    Subscription TV ratings available from Nielsen Media Research

1998

  • MAY

    Australis ceases to operate

  • JULY

    AUSTAR acquires East Coast Television following Australis' demise

1997

  • MARCH

    MCN established as a joint venture between FOXTEL, AUSTAR and a number of the key channels

  • JULY

    Advertising introduced on Subscription TV

1995

  • JANUARY

    Australis, branded as Galaxy, distributes Australia's first broadcast Subscription TV service

  • AUGUST

    AUSTAR service commences

  • SEPTEMBER

    OPTUS VISION service commences

  • OCTOBER

    FOXTEL service commences

1992

  • OCTOBER

    New broadcasting legislation allows new sectors of broadcast services – the first competition for incumbent TV broadcasters in almost 40 years