View source for Max Trax

{{Short description|Canadian TV audio service}}
{{distinguish|Mad Trax}}
{{Infobox television channel
| name            = Max Trax
| logo            = Max Trax logo.svg
| logo_caption    = '''Max Trax logo'''
| logo_size       = 200px
| launch_date     = Summer 1997
| closed_date     = October 1, 2009
| picture_format  =
| network         = 
| owner           = [[Stingray Digital]]
| country         = [[Canada]]
| area            = National
| headquarters    = [[Toronto|Toronto, Ontario]]
| former_names    = Digital Music Express (1997–1999)<br />DMX (1999–2002)
| replaced        = 
| sister_channels = 
| website         =  
}}
'''Max Trax''' was a Canadian [[pay television]] audio service that broadcast continuous streaming music on multiple channel feeds. The service was owned by [[Stingray Digital]].

Originally known as Digital Music Express in 1997, the channel later closed in 2009 as Max Trax once assets related to the service were sold to Stingray Digital, owners of a similar service, then known as Galaxie and eventually as [[Stingray Music]].

==Programming==
At the time of its closing, Max Trax offered 22 [[advertising|commercial]]-free music based audio channels, each devoted to a particular musical [[music genre|genre]] or theme, distributed through digital television platforms. Each channel consisted of a continuous stream of music or audio, using no live, on-air [[disc jockey]]s. The majority of channels broadcast English music, however, French and instrumental channels were also available.

===Channels===
{|
|valign="top"|
* Blues Street
* Flashback 70's
* Franco Energie
* Franco Relax
* Greatest Hits
* Hit List
* HotCountry
* Jammin
* Jazz Café
* Treehouse
* Le Top Détente
|width="50"|&nbsp;
|valign="top"|
* Masterworks
* Max Trax Party
* Memories
* Musique Bout'Choux
* Rave
* Rock
* RockAlternative
* Swingin' Standards
* The Beat
* The Light
* The Spa
|width="50"|&nbsp;
|valign="top"|
|}

==History==
In December 1995, DMX Canada (1995) Ltd., a joint venture between Shaw Cablesystems (80%) and International Cablecasting Technologies Inc. (ICT) (20%), an American company associated with the similar American service, [[DMX (music)|DMX]], was granted a broadcasting licence from the [[Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission]] (CRTC).<ref>[http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/1995/DB95-911.htm Decision CRTC 95-911], CRTC, 12-20-95</ref> At the time of this decision, it was proposed that the service would consist of a mixture of Canadian-produced channels, along with channels directly from the American service. 
[[File:DMX Canada logo 1.png|right|thumb|Logo as Digital Music Express]]
The service launched in the summer of 1997<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/19980204023930/http://www.dmx.ca:80/home/index.html Overview & Corporate Information], DMXmusic.ca</ref> as '''Digital Music Express''', often referred to as simply DMX, with 30 channels.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/19980204023930/http://www.dmx.ca:80/home/index.html Channel Listings & Sound Clips], DMXmusic.ca</ref>

In early 1999, Digital Music Express launched a new logo, officially referring itself as DMX in all consumer media. 
[[File:DMX Canada logo 2.gif|right|thumb|Logo as DMX]]
In September 1999, Shaw's broadcasting assets were spun-off into a separately traded company to comply with CRTC  regulations, creating [[Corus Entertainment]], DMX's new owners.<ref>[http://www.corusent.com/news/corus-entertainment-inc-changing-the-face-of-entertainment-in-canada/ CORUS ENTERTAINMENT INC. – CHANGING THE FACE OF ENTERTAINMENT IN CANADA], Corus Entertainment press release, 09-01-99</ref>

In February 2002, Corus announced that it would be purchasing all remaining shares of the DMX television service from DMX MUSIC, Inc. (formerly ICT), while also selling all remaining shares of the DMX business unit, a provider of licensed music for commercial use in stores, restaurants, and other commercial setting, to DMX MUSIC, Inc.<ref>[http://www.corusent.com/news/corus-entertainment-and-dmx-music-inc-announce-an-exchange-of-ownership-interests-in-digital-music-services/ CORUS ENTERTAINMENT AND DMX MUSIC, INC., ANNOUNCE AN EXCHANGE OF OWNERSHIP INTERESTS IN DIGITAL MUSIC SERVICES], Corus Entertainment press release, 02-01-02</ref> The service would be rebranded '''Max Trax''' just 3 months later on May 1, 2002.<ref>[http://www.corusent.com/news/corus-relaunches-digital-music-as-max-trax/ CORUS RELAUNCHES DIGITAL MUSIC AS MAX TRAX], Corus Entertainment press release, 05-01-02</ref>

Because of service duplication, in 2002,<ref>[http://www.corusent.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Annual-Report-2004-Part-1.pdf 2004 ANNUAL REPORT], Corus Entertainment</ref> [[Galaxie]] (a similar television service) and Max Trax agreed to provide a joint 40-channel audio distribution service to satellite and digital cable television providers called '''Galaxie Max Trax'''. The package consisted of 20 Max Trax and 20 Galaxie channels. The package was discontinued upon merger with Galaxie in late 2009.

On February 13, 2009, Corus Entertainment announced it had entered into an agreement to sell certain assets associated with Max Trax to [[Stingray Digital]], including hardware, software, websites, domain names, among other assets including trademarks that includes the Max Trax name.<ref>[https://archive.today/20120724005640/http://www.broadcastermagazine.com/issues/ISArticle.asp?id=96037&issue=02132009  Corus Enters Agreement with Stingray Digital For Pay Audio Service]; Broadcaster Magazine; 2009-02-13</ref> Previous to the sale to Stingray, in December 2008, Stingray received a category 2 digital licence to operate a national pay TV audio service, similar to Max Trax, from the CRTC. The agreement was structured so that Corus would discontinue the Max Trax service, keeping the service on the air until Stingray launched its own service under its own licence using the Max Trax brand, resulting in a seamless transition and no interruption in services. The Stingray service never launched; instead the Galaxie licence was continued to be used.<ref>[http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2015/2015-377.pdf Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2015-377], CRTC, 08-17-15</ref>

On October 1, 2009 the Max Trax brand was discontinued by owners [[Stingray Digital]], who merged it with Galaxie under one brand, which eventually became [[Stingray Music]]. Stingray Digital, who had been operating as the exclusive sales and development agent for Galaxie since late 2007 on behalf of its owners, the [[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation|CBC]], officially took over as managing partner in the service upon completion of merger.<ref>{{cite tweet|user=stingraymusic|author=STINGRAY MUSIC|number=4528049589|date=1 October 2009|title=Galaxie officially introduces new brand today. Some new channel names, same great programming, same channel positions. New website soon!}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.maxtrax.com/ |title=Home |website=maxtrax.com}}</ref> Stingray would later purchase Galaxie from the CBC in May 2011.<ref>[http://www.crtc.gc.ca/ownership/cht224.pdf CRTC ownership chart for Stingray Digital] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101009015557/http://www.crtc.gc.ca/ownership/cht224.pdf |date=2010-10-09 }}</ref>

The original licence for Max Trax that was owned by Corus, was revoked by the CRTC on September 23, 2011.<ref>[http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2011/2011-613.htm http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2011/2011-613.htm] CRTC 2011-09-23</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Music television channels in Canada}}

[[Category:Defunct specialty television channels in Canada]]
[[Category:Stingray Group|M]]
[[Category:Former Corus Entertainment networks]]
[[Category:Television channels and stations established in 1997]]
[[Category:Television channels and stations disestablished in 2009]]