MTV is a cable television network. MTV is the world’s most widely distributed television network, appearing in more than 160 countries and territories. It began telecasts on Aug. 1, 1981. MTV was acquired by Viacom, a major media and communications company, during 1985 and 1986. MTV stands for music television, reflecting the fact that the network originally devoted itself to music videos.
The impact of MTV on the music business has been enormous. Record companies and performers believe that exposure on MTV is important to the success of a new album. MTV helped advance the careers of such rock stars as Michael Jackson, Madonna, ‘N Sync, and Kid Rock through the telecasting of their videos. MTV has been credited with popularizing rap and hip-hop music. The often experimental style of many of the videos influenced a number of young motion-picture directors.
During the 1980’s, most MTV material consisted of music videos. In the late 1980’s and early 1990’s, the channel began to offer other programming. Today, it presents original series, interactive music programming, animated series, and original movies. It shows music videos mostly late at night or early in the morning. It also telecasts concerts and entertainment news. In 2006, Viacom struck deals with two online-search companies, the U.S. company Google and China’s Baidu, to provide video that would be shown over the Internet. Since 1984, the channel has sponsored the annual MTV Video Music Awards. “MTV Unplugged” was launched in 1990 to present live performances by well-known singers and groups. In addition, MTV launched the annual MTV Movie Awards in 1992.
In 1996, MTV2 began operation as the sister channel to MTV. MTV2 presents a “free form” music format 24 hours a day. The playlist consists of a broad group of artists and styles of music. In 2006, MTV3 premiered with programming directed toward Latino audiences. MTV also features interactive and local programming elements.
MTV is an advertiser-supported, basic cable service of MTV Networks. In addition to MTV, MTV Networks also owns and operates several other cable television programming services, including VH1, Nickelodeon/Nick at Nite, TV Land, and Spike.
