VH1 Classic
| MTV Classic | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Launched | January 1, 1998 (Original launch as VH1 Smooth Jazz) May 8, 2000 (relaunch as VH1 Classic) August 1, 2016 (relaunch as MTV Classic) |
| Owned by | Viacom Media Networks |
| Picture format | 480i SDTV |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Headquarters | New York City, New York, United States |
| Formerly called |
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| Sister channel(s) | |
| Website | www |
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Availability
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| Satellite | |
| DirecTV |
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| Dish Network | 163 |
| C-Band | AMC 18-Channel 234 (H2H 4DTV) |
| Cable | |
| Available on many cable systems | Check local listings for specific channels |
| IPTV | |
| Verizon FiOS | 218 |
| AT&T U-verse | 520 |
| Streaming media | |
| DirecTV Now | Internet Protocol television |
MTV Classic (formerly VH1 Smooth Jazz and VH1 Classic) is an American television network owned by Viacom Media Networks. It was originally launched in 1998 as VH1 Smooth Jazz, an adult contemporary and smooth jazz channel. It was relaunched as VH1 Classic in 2000, with an emphasis on classic rock. On August 1, 2016, in honor of MTV's 35th anniversary, the channel was rebranded as MTV Classic.
VH1 Classic launched on May 8, 2000 and replaced VH1 Smooth Jazz, a smooth jazz and adult contemporary channel.
The network primarily featured a mainstream rock/adult hits-formatted mix of music videos and concert footage from the 1970s through the mid-1990s, though it formerly included a wider range of genres and time periods. The network originally played only videos but had a varied line-up of music-themed programs. This included themed compilation shows of music videos and concert footage, such as music videos focused on Heavy Metal music or on music of the 1980s, music documentaries such as the Classic Albums series, music themed movies, and full length concerts. They also rebroadcast programs first shown on the main VH1 channel, including Pop-Up Video and I Love the '80s.
In July 2016, Viacom announced that on August 1st, the 35th anniversary of the original MTV's launch, the network would rebrand as MTV Classic; the channel's programming continues to focus on classic music videos and programming (including notable episodes of MTV Unplugged and Storytellers), but skews more towards the 1980s, 1990s and early to mid-2000s. The re-branded network also aired encores of past MTV original series such as the 2011 Beavis and Butt-head revival and Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County. The network's re-launch took place at 6:00 a.m. ET with a rebroadcast of MTV's first hour on the air, which was also simulcast on MTV and online via Facebook live streaming, branded as "MTV Hour One" (the channel, as VH1 Classic, had previously aired it to mark the network's 30th anniversary in 2011). Several VH1 Classic programs were retained in the existing schedule, albeit in late night.
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