Music Television

MTV, which stands for Music Television, launched in 1981 as a cable channel that played music videos 24 hours a day, seven days a week. At the time, music videos were a relatively new medium that had only gained popularity in the late 1970s with the advent of channels like Video Concert Hall and Night Flight.

MTV's initial concept was to provide a platform for artists to showcase their music videos, but it quickly became clear that the channel had the potential to be much more than that. With the rise of music videos as a form of promotion for artists, record labels began to invest heavily in the production of music videos, which in turn led to an increase in the quality and quantity of videos being produced.

mtv launch screen

MTV capitalised on this trend by featuring music videos as the primary content on the channel. The channel's early programming was simple: a VJ (video jockey) would introduce a music video, which would then play in its entirety. Over time, however, MTV began to experiment with different formats, including themed playlists and countdown shows like "Total Request Live."

As the popularity of music videos grew, so did MTV's influence. The channel became known for its ability to launch the careers of new artists, as well as for its impact on fashion and pop culture. The channel's signature visual style, characterised by fast cuts, flashy graphics, and vibrant colours, became a defining feature of the 1980s.

The success of MTV paved the way for other channels to adopt a similar format, and music videos became a ubiquitous part of the entertainment landscape. Today, music videos are still an important part of the music industry, although they are now more likely to be viewed online than on television. Nevertheless, MTV's legacy as a pioneer of the music video format is secure, and the channel's impact on the entertainment industry continues to be felt to this day.