MTV, or Music Television which was released on the 1st of august 1981 was made to air music videos in the united states and presented by hosts called “VJ’S”. MTV has had a huge impact on the music industry and culture, there where popular slogans such as “MTV is here” and “ I want my MTV” became embedded in every day life. The idea of a dedicated place where artists could promote there songs and videos and news helped sell the artist. In its earlier years MTV was just a music channel showing the latest and up to date music around. Today it has spawned numerous other channels like MTV bass and MTV hits although the original MTV channel doesn’t continuously play music there other sister channels do. One channel that has now become independent, MTV tempo, now known as TEMPO networks. Also showing other programs on the MTV channel and not just focusing on music, they also have film contracts and are included with shows like Jackass, and MTV hosted the “Jackass 24hour take over” and Nitro circus, but these are not your normal family friendly shows, MTV have a group of shows all stunt shows. The first music video shown on MTV was The Buggles' "Video Killed the Radio Star.” Today MTV and all other music channels have continuous and seamless mix of videos, MTV's effect was immediate in areas where the new music video channel could be picked up. MTV was such a big success that within a matter of just a couple of months, record shops in areas where MTV was available found themselves selling music that the local radio stations were not playing making getting hold of music was a lot easier and new songs and artists could get there music out to the people promoting there work. The effect MTV had on the music industries was huge, it made new music more available and made getting your music seen and heard by people a lot easier. But this came with draw backs, if you didn’t have a video to go with your song then your music wouldn’t be played on MTV, still making it hard for new music to be seen and heard by people. Now with the addition of online consumption MTV videos can now be played online any time. MTV has also been involved with concerts like the G8 concerts and the “live earth” concerts hosted around the world trying to push the message of climate change.
With its vast history of music and music related events MTV is the biggest music related distributor on the planet and with its huge impact on culture it has changed how the audience want to experience music and also see it.
