MusiquePlus , while under CHUM 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 is repeated once daily. CHUM later applied to 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 Radiomutueleach owning 50%. Radiomutuel was acquired by
Astral Media in June 1999. In July 2006,
CTVglobemedia announced it would make a bid to buy CHUM Limited. Initial plans were to keep MusiquePlus and MusiMax, although CTVglobemedia soon announced that it would sell its stake in MusiquePlus and Musimax. On April 11, 2007, Astral announced that it would acquire the remaining 50% of MusiMax and MusiquePlus from CTVglobemedia, giving it full ownership—separating the network from its original parent. This deal was completed on June 30, 2007; to signify its independence from MuchMusic, MusiquePlus adopted a new logo the following year in September 2008. On August 23, 2010, Astral launched a
high definition feed of MusiquePlus.
Sale to Remstar/V Media Group While MusiquePlus has operated separately from MuchMusic ever since the deal, the network was almost re-united with its former parent in 2012 when CTVglobemedia's successor
Bell Media attempted to acquire the entirety of Astral Media for an estimated $3.38 billion. However, the proposed deal was rejected by the CRTC. On March 4, 2013, following consultation with the
Competition Bureau, Bell announced that it would go through with the purchase, but divest MusiquePlus, Musimax, and four other Astral-owned channels. On December 4, 2013,
Remstar, owners of the French television system
V, announced that it would acquire MusiquePlus and MusiMax for an undisclosed amount. On September 11, 2014, the CRTC approved the sale. The acquisition is valued at $15.5 million; to fund the purchase, Remstar sold 15% stakes in the holding company
V Media Group to
the Caisse,
Fonds de solidarité FTQ and
Investissement Québec, and sold $1.5 million in advertising time across MusiquePlus and MusiMax to Bell. Remstar also successfully applied to have the amount of music-oriented programming the channel must air reduced to 80%. The sale was closed on September 16, 2014.
Elle Fictions In February 2019, V Media Group announced that MusiquePlus would be replaced later in the year by a network featuring scripted programming catered towards a female audience. The company cited the successful relaunch of sister channel MusiMax as the general entertainment channel Max as a factor in the decision. In May 2019, it was announced that the channel would launch on August 26 as Elle Fictions and that it would feature series and films targeting "active" young adult women. The branding is licensed from the French magazine
Elle: the French Canadian version of the magazine had previously been published by Remstar rival
Groupe TVA, but it had been announced that the rights were being acquired by KO Media—owned by local personality Louis Morissette. In October 2024,
Canada Post announced commemorative postage stamps honouring MuchMusic and MusiquePlus, depicting their respective headquarters. ==References==