Music Television

Music Television (MTV), advertising-supported cable television network, the first network to broadcast music videos regularly. The network was founded in 1981 as an operation of MTV Networks with investments from such companies as Warner Communications and American Express. It was subsequently acquired by Viacom, Inc., becoming a wholly owned subsidiary. MTV's combination of music videos, youthful video jockeys, irreverent commentary, promotion of special rock concerts, and news and documentaries about bands and performers established the network's popularity with youthful viewers, and it became a leading promoter of new rock music and rock musicians. In 1992 both presidential candidate Bill Clinton and his running mate Al Gore appeared separately on two MTV programs in an effort to reach young voters. Music videos for both audio recordings and some motion-picture soundtracks are often made with the MTV viewer market in mind. MTV's overseas affiliates make the network's programming available in Europe, Asia, Central and South America, and Africa.

After MTV's programming changed to include more heavy metal and rap music, MTV Networks launched a second network, Video Hits 1 (VH-1), in 1985. VH-1 features more popular music than MTV. MTV Networks also owns Nickelodeon, a cable channel airing children's and family programming.